When a god's whisper can shatter a human soul—will Elias rise or break?
Scene 1: Aftermath—Midnight in the Watchtower
Elias stands alone amid the wreckage: shattered cult symbols, battered heroes, the deafening quiet of control.
He breathes hard, every exhale a soft tremor through the deck.
Then…
Flicker—
A dark silhouette appears. The hologram of Darkseid glides into view, colossal and smirking, voice echoing with eldritch gravity.
Darkseid (hologram):
"Well done, child.
You crushed pawns… but I offered you a crown."
Elias remains still—heart pounding, but voice steady:
Elias:
"I'm not your pawn. I'm not your crown. I'm still me."
Scene 2: Divine Manipulation
Darkseid's hologram steps closer, stepping through broken consoles as if physics kneels before him.
Darkseid:
"But why stay small?
You carry my power.
You wield my strength.
This world fears you.
They need you.
Yet you cling to mortality."
Elias clenches his fists, eyes flicking with restraint.
Elias:
"They need hope, not domination.
And I'm still human enough to know the difference."
Scene 3: The Psychological Test
The hologram spreads its arms. Dimensions ripple behind.
Darkseid:
"I can give you the rest.
Absolute power.
Obedient worlds.
A throne at Apokolips.
Eternal legacy."
Elias's jaw tightens. For a moment, the breath in his lungs falters.
He takes one step forward—then shakes his head.
Elias:
"No.
You test me like a weapon.
But a weapon can choose not to fire itself."
Scene 4: Hologram Escalates
Darkseid's image shifts to rage.
Darkseid:
"Choice is weakness.
Mortals fail.
They diminish us."
Elias (voice calm but steel):
"I choose not to become you.
Because I know what it destroys.
The world deserves more than obedience."
The air hums. Omega energy flickers at Elias's skin.
Scene 5: Hologram's Final Temptation
In a whispered growl:
Darkseid:
"Do not test me again, mortal.
I gave you 50%.
The rest is cage-hate.
Intimidate me? I'll rewrite your core."
The hologram lowers its voice, soft as death:
"One day you will break this mortal shell.
And I will welcome that day."
Then—flashes out. Silence returns.
Scene 6: Elias's Resolve
He exhales. Every fiber quivering.
He stands tall, hands at his side—not radiating power, but presence.
Elias (to himself):
"You gave me a glimpse.
But not the map.
I'm still human.
That's my power.
And this is my world."
He powers down the hologram console—every screen goes black.
Scene 7: The League Returns
Moments later, Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Cyborg, Flash enter—cautious.
They look at Elias—still standing, wounded but unbroken.
Batman:
"He… spoke."
Elias nods.
Elias:
"He reminded me what I'm not.
And I... remembered what I am."
Wonder Woman steps forward, places a hand on his shoulder:
Wonder Woman:
"That's enough.
You passed the test."
Elias gives the faintest human smile.
Final Scene: Holographic Echo Left Behind
Unknown by the League, a single spark of holographic code remains embedded deep in the console.
Subroutine:
"WAITING…"
Condition: "NEXT FAILURE DETECTED"
Payload: "UNLOCK APOKOLIPTIAN UPGRADE"
A chilling reminder: the gods' voice still waits.
Sometimes, power whispers louder than stone.