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***
Bodies scattered in the shadows lay on the dead ground. Karen's head was splitting, her chest and back stinging from the burns, and a dull ache wracked her entire body, which was covered with numerous bruises. The sounds of battle were unrelenting, and ravenous flames thundered against the cavernous ceiling.
Karen reached for the emotionless Harley, and felt the coldness of her lips compared to the warm, heated air that made her skin dry.
«Harley, wake up.
«I...I think I'm dead...but I'd like to lie down for five minutes, Mom, it's so warm and nice in hell," Harley mumbled.
Who would have thought they could talk so nonchalantly to each other during a deadly battle? Karen looked with mixed feelings at the yellow-skinned demon with the scarlet, piercing eyes who wasn't afraid to rush into the thick of it, straight to Starfire.
John Constantine didn't snap, someone actually came to the rescue, literally snatching their lives from the death grip of the para-demons and a furious Tamaranka, who couldn't forgive Karen for the pain she'd caused and couldn't understand where the demon had come from.
«Where did you come from?! Get out of my way!
«Etrigan's business is not to talk, it's to get your head off your shoulders! As long as we have a contract, Etrigan will not back down!
«I don't get it!
One by one, bright flashes appeared in front of Etrigan, hitting him with a dense wave of fire. Etrigan broke through Starfire's attack and grabbed the girl by the neck, punching her in the stomach....
***
«Will? Beastboy? Where are you?
«Don't worry about Willard Light, he's with John Constantine," Etrigan growled, landing next to Karen, holding a huge, curved sword. - Your friends on the surface are in trouble, but Etrigan will not help them. This treaty states that Mighty Etrigan only helps the blonde with the big boobs.
«John Constantine? What did he have to do with Willard Light's disappearance? Answer me before I force the words out of you," Karen clenched her fist.
«A bold but foolish statement. John Constantine and the man you seek are busy with big things right now, abandon your attempts to find them. Soon there will be a whole massacre in these caves full of the stench of weaklings and Apocalypse of lowlifes. So take your friends, the lowlifes, and run away while you're still alive.
In a clear demonstration of his power, Etrigan with a crisp sword strike shattered Starfire's fiery mass, which covered him from head to toe.
«Stings like the flames of Hell! - he said cheerfully.
Shielding her arms from the waves of green fire, Karen grabbed the unconscious Beast Boy and the mumbling Harley off the ground.
«Ah, ouch! Damn it! I'm so screwed! What's going on?!
«If you'd shut up, Harley, I'd really appreciate it.
Karen didn't realize what was happening. The demon suddenly appeared and said he was helping them, and then there was the matter of John Constantine, who had been presumed dead all along. Apocalypse wanted to get rid of him as soon as Zatanna was captured by him, and Canto was sent to his soul. Since then, John Constantine has disappeared, and Karen hasn't even had time to find out who he is.
"Will said that John Constantine is one of the strongest mages in the world, but why did he only show up now if he survived? Especially since he survived the skirmish with Kanto... that says a lot about his abilities..." - Kanto was one of the New Gods who specialized in finding victims and eliminating them with chase skills and skillful ambushes.
Kanto's reputation was spoken of by his sacrifices, and even the fact that he was once the teacher of one of Wonder Woman, the strongest Valkyrie of Themyscira, who had the potential to defeat Superman in a one-on-one duel.
And since John Constantine had returned, someone had undoubtedly interfered with the prearranged balance of power and was knocking down the pawns reverently placed by Apocalypse. The game board began to gradually, but surely, overturn....
«Did you notice that too? - Beast Boy said.
«It's hard not to realize I warned you we were walking into a trap. The only question is who's behind it.
«Certainly not Mantis the Destroyer.
Karen nodded.
There weren't many famous Generals among Darkseid's Elite, but a few Karen knew for sure: Killer Kanto, Tormentor Desaad, Manipulator Bedlam, and...
«Steppenwolf?
«Among them, he is the only one who is skillful in warfare. He's lived his whole life on the battlefield. There's no worse opponent imaginable.
«We need to find Will before this gets worse.
«I can't hear him, he's not around. He disappeared, Zatanna took him. We're not likely to find him now," Karen said.
There was a heavy silence in the air at the unpleasant realization that if Willard was caught, it was over.
«Don't worry, I'm sure he'll do fine," Beast Boy said, patting Karen on the shoulder.
«Ho-ho, look how many para-demons have been killed! They're like puppets! - Harley pointed to the piles of debris that were piled among the para-demons, which appeared to be Etrigan's work.
«Yeah, but it's all credit to the demon. Something tells me if we're going to them, we're in real trouble.
«Wait, where's Starfire? - Beast Boy asked.
«Didn't she fight that monster? - Harley said, pointing in the direction of the rumble.
«A monster...?
In the distance, the ceiling collapsed and two silhouettes tumbled down.
Karen froze at the tunnel and turned around, noticing that Harley and Beast Boy were looking at the fire hitting the ceiling.
«Oho! Beast Boy, your friend is about to be minced into meat and minced meat! If we come any closer, we're dead! - shouted Harley.
Etrigan nailed Starfire's face to the ground and began diligently hammering her further in, without question or hesitation, and soon ripped Tamaranka's bloody face off the rock.
«Ugh...poor thing, her face is like one freshly carved steak!
«I'm going over there," said Beast Boy.
Karen stopped him.
«We don't have time to fight Etrigan, he's too strong and we're wounded.
«I don't care," he removed her arm from his shoulders, "I originally came here to save her, and my plan hasn't changed.
«I told you before, in the war.....
A hammer blow landed on Karen's head and she flew off to the side with a surprised face.
«I'm sorry, Boobie, but I support real friendships! - shouted Harley cheerfully.
Beast Boy turned into a panther on the fly and with a roar, he tore off to run.
«Are you idiots?! Why are you stalling? The longer we're here, the less chance we have of getting away! Will won't be able to move us," Karen shouted, flying up from the ground in anger.
"I don't understand what I'm supposed to do. Abandon them?"
Para-demons began to fly up from the corridors, the sight of which made Harley shriek in fright and run away. Karen fought off a few of the para-demons from Harley and turned to the corridor, unleashing a powerful stream of laser beams that slammed into the army of enemies and turned them into charred meat sacks.
«Oh, girl, I knew you were a sweetheart! - Harley giggled merrily, kissing Karen on the cheek.
«We're not friends, you dumb ass!
«Oh, come on! Batman and I have punched each other so many times, and we're best friends.
Karen arched an eyebrow skeptically and let out an anguished sigh.
«No. You and Batman were never best friends.
«Never say never, Melon, envy doesn't suit you.
Karen was about to punch Harley in the forehead, but their attention was drawn to the exploding wall.
Etrigan was clutching the face of an agonizing Starfire when an enraged Beast Boy in the form of an orangutan flew into him. A scramble ensued, with Beast Boy pressing forward. He managed to pick Starfire up at the last moment and look at her... the once beautiful pink-haired girl was barely breathing through a broken nose, her lips swollen and blood dripping thickly down her face.
«Starfire, are you okay, friend? - Beast Boy asked in a low voice.
Watching the settled drama, Etrigan grudgingly stretched his shoulder after the blow he had received and grinned broadly.
«What kind of bug dares to enter this wondrous battle? She is Etrigan's adversary, his lost soul, his coveted prey, and the one who should have killed you all. And by the way, Etrigan gave you wretched weaklings a chance to escape, to save yourselves. And where is your gratitude?
«No one will ever be grateful to someone like you.
«One or another, it matters not, for Etrigan will have more meat. Now run, crying for mercy, or I will crush your skull, and leave no ashes as I gouge out your brain and throw you into the fires of Hell.
«Try it, damn you," Beast Boy muttered.
Etrigan lunged at Beast Boy with a grin, knocking him down with a sudden appearance from the side, pushing him in the shoulder, and knocking Starfire out of his hands.
«I told you, you fool, run.
Etrigan struck the Beastmaster with his fist, dislodging the exposed block and driving him tighter into the ground...
«Now another blow and it'll be mush..." he swung.
...but his fist was intercepted by Karen.
«Hmm? The one with the power.
«It's me," Karen shouted.
Her fist snapped out of position and flew straight into Etrigan's face. He flew off, slamming into the wall.
«Karen...
«Shut up, you've already made a mess of things. I'll take care of it myself.
«I just wanted to tell you that you like to show up at the last minute. You seen any movies?
After climbing out of the rubble, Etrigan stared angrily at Karen and balled his fists, throwing lightning bolts at the Beastmaster and the girl in his arms every now and then.
«Thy breasts seem so large that they more than compensate for the brains that are not there at all. Etrigan knows not why thou dost interfere, for the contract was made.
«I don't care about you or your contract. What I don't get, Great Etrigan, if you're so powerful, why are you wasting your time fighting weaklings like us? There are so many para-demons on the surface, you could be in for quite a fight. There's bound to be one of them who'll punch you in the face. Or is Great Etrigan really not that great?
«He's supposed to protect you.
«And I already have. I don't need your help anymore. You can kill someone else.
Frowning at his potential victims, Etrigan tapped his middle finger on his lower lip thoughtfully.
«Don't think you're more cunning than Etrigan, but there is truth in what you say," Etrigan grinned, "so you've decided to let me go?
«Yes, I have.
«Now you are on your own, and the demon is free to live on his own, and he flies away, leaving all fools to their fate. And it's not a merciful one.
Etrigan scrambled off the ground and disappeared into the tunnel, leaving the heroes alone.
«Thank you, Karen.
«I'm not doing this for you," Karen said, holding out her hand to him.
«Yeah, yeah, I know," Beast Boy said, taking her hand.
«Karen is such a tsundere," Harley added as she hugged the two of them.
«I'm in pain, Harley.
«Me, too.
«I'm in pain too... That fire girl got my ass all toasty.....
«That's enough. Listen to me, there's something I have to tell you before we move on. The island is surrounded by-- there are over several thousand of them.
***
Oliver Jonas Quinn stood on the roof of a dilapidated mill, gazing out at the distant horizon of a reddening sky covered in clouds. He held a transmitter in his hands, working as a means of communication with the rest of the heroes, and most importantly, with Willard Light, on whom their plan directly depended.
«What are you thinking about, honey? - Black Canary asked, hugging him.
«It's a bit worrying that it's going too smoothly," Ollie said.
«You think too much, honey. Relax. We're almost done here. In case of emergency, Will will just move us with the Thunder God tag.
«Even the last rat in Gotham knows about the Mark, that's the problem. We have too many enemies, and I wouldn't be surprised if they figure out a way to stick it to us.
«Maybe, maybe you think too much. Apocalypse has better things to do than go after the little guys.
Black Canary turned Ollie's head toward her and kissed him gently on the lips, softly, and to a slight tickle that was soothing.
«You're a miracle.
«I know.
Ollie didn't sleep well, didn't eat well, and couldn't think of anything else but ending this war. It used to be all on the League's shoulders, and he was a proud loner on the sidelines. He'd enjoyed those days, occasionally moonlighting for the League, and now standing here and in charge of all the hundreds of men under his command, he wanted to send fate to hell.
"Thought that shit was out of my league. Can't even get drunk off my ass."
As their lips parted, a dense wave of air hit Ollie's back, exploding in a loud voice:
«Green Arrow! Get off the island now! We're surrounded on all sides! Willard Light has been captured by Zatanna and cannot help you!
Canary and Green Arrow glanced over in incomprehension, and he grinned crookedly.
«Gee, I'm sorry, Deena, I didn't mean to be mean.
«What I love you for is your optimism even in a difficult moment.
Oliver pulled out his binoculars and pointed them at the distant sea horizon, which only a few minutes ago had been empty, but now it was filled with winged brats. He looked toward the city, and everywhere he saw black dots, in which he could gradually make out whole armies of para-demons.
«We got company! Enough to kick each of our asses ten times over! Tell the rest of you to get your asses up and run to the designated spot!
«Does it make sense when Willard Light can't move us?
«So we will retreat by boat.
«On boats? Are you out of your mind, Ollie!? We'll never get away from those things on boats!
«I know, but... Willard Light is missing. They got to him. While we still have time, we can save at least the lucky ones," it was a desperate bluff, of course, but Ollie couldn't think of anything better.
Vaguely, he saw a way out: hold out until Willard returned. But this was a black bet, a wager. Tell anyone that crap, they wouldn't believe it, and Ollie kept quiet, because there was no better option. Otherwise they'd be slaughtered like cattle.
«Don't waste a minute, we won't get a second chance.
***
A dimensional portal opened above their heads as Green Arrow and Canary helped the humans escape from Nerose Island.
Para-demons began to fly out of the portal with noisy squeals and screams, and immediately descended in an army upon the gathered humans. In a matter of seconds, the sortie turned into a massacre.
Panic set in, because no one expected the attack to start from the heart of Nerose Island, where the main Resistance forces were concentrated. Many of the people weren't even heroes. When Ollie realized what had happened, a para-demon pounced on the young girl. One accurate headshot knocked him to the ground, but the girl was already dead.
«Fuck...," Ollie muttered, closing the girl's eyes. - Don't give up! We're not going to let them kill us for nothing! We've been fighting them for three months, and we can fight them for more!
However, the surrounding carnage encompassed the entire island, and Ollie, seeing death after death clenched his teeth to the point of pain. He was powerless.
«Ollie!
Black Canary's scream saved his life from the two demons, and she immediately grabbed his arm.
Ollie took hold of the beak of his green hat and grinned grimly.
"Don't drift, you have the responsibility for hundreds of lives on your shoulders. Now it's up to me whether they can get out of this hell or not."
To sacrifice part of the people so that the other part would survive," a nasty thought popped into my head and wouldn't come out.
The decision to sacrifice even one person for the sake of a hundred was not in Ollie's nature, and no matter how hard he tried to get over himself, it didn't work.
"We can save about thirty percent, but thirty percent...? Hell, it's negligible."
«Ollie..." Canary wrapped her fingers around his hand, "we need you.
«Oh, yeah...sorry. I've been thinking about something.
***
Meanwhile, on the unfolding battlefield, a tall warrior with silver armor and a large, jagged axe leaped out of the portal and smashed into the ground. The mighty giant's appearance stood out sharply among the uniformed Para-demons, and the air around him seemed to tremble. The warrior pointed his horned head in the direction of his opponents, scowling his fanged face, and the swirls of power hit the ground and waves with a sharp aura of power that made everyone, including Ollie and Karen, notice his presence.
«It seems my assumptions were correct, the mortals have managed to deactivate the Tyranids," he said.
«Ollie...isn't that...?
«That asshole we sure didn't want here," Green Arrow grinned grimly.
A few of the Resistance men noticed the new enemy and opened fire with their cannons. The darkness of bullets and laser flashes reached a target that didn't even seem to notice them.
The fierce fire of resistance struck the broad chest with a shot of metal and molten flashes shattering against the monster's unyielding skin.
«What's going on? - Shouted one of the resistance.
«Bullets won't take him!
The shots ended, and Horned hummed self-consciously, turning his gaze to the distant horizon. He hadn't noticed them.
«Centuries pass, civilizations change, and you are still as unassuming as ever. If that consistency weren't so frustrating, I might even admire it.
«Stop the shelling! He's out of your league! - shouted Ollie.
The horned man plucked his axe from deep within the earth and snapped out of his seat, blurring into space with blurred movements, and emerging right in front of the men of the Resistance with an impartial silhouette.
«Stop him, stop him!
«Fucking bitch!
«Ahhhh...!
«Hear me, mortals. Today is your happiest day, for you will fall by the hand of the Steppenwolf.
DARK WOLF.
HOME PLANET: APOCALYPSE.
AFFILIATION: NEW GODS.
THREAT LEVEL: HIGHEST.
In the panic born of quick deaths and in the downpour of blood, men began to lose their senses and scatter apart in disbanded packs in the face of a superior force that made the ground and sanity shake.
With a single swing, the Steppenwolf stripped the group of their heads. With one swing, Steppenwolf stripped the group of their heads. Para-demons swarmed out of the portals behind his back and descended upon the humans with renewed vigor.
The Steppenwolf led the attack with a cold and lofty concentration, like a messenger of Death. But there was no joy or triumph in his eyes, only cold calculation and a kind of universal boredom.
***
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