Third POV
Fifteen minutes after Blade's appearance.
The Bat-Signal was in the sky tonight. Commissioner Jim Gordon called, and Batman answered since it was about an incident in an alleyway.
A dark figure descended from the rooftops, his cape billowing before settling behind him like a shadow. He landed without a sound, stepping forward as Gordon turned to meet him.
"Jim, what happened here?" Batman's voice was low and measured, but it had an edge.
Gordon sighed before gesturing to the alleyway. "A massacre. This wasn't some random gang brawl. These thugs were cut down like animals. Sword wounds, but brutal ones."
Batman followed Gordon into the crime scene. The alley was dimly lit, the flickering street light casting over the bloodstains on the concrete floor. Four bodies lay scattered, each one displaying horrifying injuries. Deep stab wounds pierced through torsos, and some victims had been nearly bisected. While two had their heads sliced off their torsos.
Batman knelt beside one of the bodies, examining the angle of the wounds. His mind sorted through the usual suspects, not Joker's work. not Two-Face. not even Ra's al Ghul's League of Shadows. The closest comparison was Deathstroke, but Slade Wilson rarely wasted time on low-level thugs.. Deathstroke was efficient, precise, but he didn't butcher his targets like this unless he was hired. And even then, his style was different.
This was something unexpected. If it were who he thought, it would mean trouble since he hadn't been seen in Gotham for years.
His gaze flickered to a nearby security camera mounted above a rusted fire escape. He turned to Gordon. "Is that camera still functional?"
Gordon followed his line of sight, then signaled to one of the officers. A technician pulled up the footage, but as the screen loaded, only audio remained. The video feed was corrupted.
They listened closely to gain any information they could.
At first, only muffled sounds, pained grunts, hurried footsteps, then screaming. Then, a voice, clear and familiar to Batman.
"My sword will be the last thing you see."
Then nothing happened. The audio cut out, even though there were still more minutes left in the video; only silence remained.
Batman narrowed his eyes. He recognized the line, but something about it… The tone, the finality. Whoever this was, this time it wasn't a fake; it could be the real deal.
He turned away and grappled up to the nearest rooftop, pressing a button near his cowl.
"Alfred, I'm sending you an audio sample. Run a voice analysis. If it's who I think it is, we're in for a long night." Batman informed, sending him the video file to the Bat Computer.
A pause, then Alfred's calm reply. "Understood, sir. I'll begin cross-referencing now. Shall I prepare the suit modifications for close-quarters combat?"
Batman glanced back at the alley, at the blood painting the walls.
"Yes. I have a feeling I'll need them. Do not reach out to Dick or Damian if it's who I suspect. Involving them would possibly involve the League of Assassins. We can't risk that." Batman informed.
"Are you sure, Sir. With Master Dick and Master Damian's help it could be benefit you in whoever it is." Alfred informed.
"No, Alfred. It's who it is that I don't think Dick or Damian are ready to fight against if anything it's best to keep them out of it." Batman informed as he heard Alfred sigh.
Alfred hesitated. "Are you certain, sir? If Master Dick and Master Damian assist—"
"No." Batman's tone was final. "If it's him, their involvement could attract the League of Assassins. We can't risk that."
A quiet sigh. "Understood, sir."
The line cut off. Batman remained still for a moment, standing against Gotham's skyline, his mind racing.
If it's him… Why now?
And more importantly...
Who brought him back?
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Derek POV
I walked through Gotham's streets, Spark walking beside me. The city was what it was in the comics, alright...dark, foggy, full of criminals that could rob you if they wanted.
The air felt thick, and the neon signs above barely cut through the darkness. This place was nothing like I had ever seen before in my life, and it still felt weird. The people here moved fast, spoke quietly, and kept their heads down. It was a city built on crime, fear.
More than once, I caught people staring at me. Some with fear. Others with recognition.
Was it my clothes? My eyes?
Whatever it was, it wasn't helping.
I didn't belong here.
Yet… I wasn't sure where I belonged anymore.
I glanced at Spark, who was walking beside me as he was looking around like a little kid in a candy store. It seemed he liked walking a lot.
It made me happy that a dog who was abused can still walk with a smile on his face and his tongue out. But the question in my head was still there.
Was I alone in this world?
Were Kafka and the other Stellaron Hunters here too? Or was I the only one?
I glanced down at my hands, flexing the fingers that still felt too precise, too inhuman. Every step I took felt less like Derek… and more like him. Like Blade. The weight of the sword in my inventory. The fluid strength in every movement. The voices in my head and memories, like a television trying to connect.
"Damn it…" I muttered. "What's happening to me?"
Spark let out a small bark, tail wagging like he didn't just watch me slaughter four people in an alley.
"Guess it doesn't matter to you, huh, boy?" I gave him a faint smile and rubbed behind his ear. "You don't care who I am. You care that I gave you a second chance."
Funny. That made two of us.
I stopped in front of a shop window. It was cracked, grimy, but still reflected enough light for me to see my face.
Or rather, Blade's face.
The mara struck also called the "Long-Life Curse, refers to the negative effects that afflict long-lived species at a certain point in their life cycle involving cell transformation that result in bodily growths and loss of sanity. Those afflicted by mara turn into monsters like the ones in the game.
The cause of mara struck is not entirely understood. Still, different sources point toward either immortality obtained through Yaoshi, the Aeon of the Abundance, or the accumulation of memories and the inability to process them over a long period of time.
But what caused Blade to have the mara stuck, even though he was a short-life species human, he tried to help Dan Feng but was affected by mara when he used Shuhu's flesh to help Dan Feng resurrect Baiheng, but failed.
As a result, he lost his mind and subsequently left the Luofu, eventually coming upon Elio and the Stellaron Hunters, joining them after Elio promised him an "eternal end and final funeral" to his life and everything he hated. Kafka regulates his mara by using her Spirit Whisper ability, which appears to work as long as he is kept from being overstimulated or looking at familiar faces too long.
The issue is that without Kafka, I don't know how long the mara stuck will affect my body and lead to a rampage. That's why Kafka is necessary; without her, I could potentially endanger many innocent people.
Even if I hadn't lived it yet, my hands had this body's instinct and abilities.
"This isn't me…" I whispered.
But the reflection didn't argue; it was me now, and I had to deal with it.
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Third POV – Wayne Manor: Batcave
The Batcomputer's screen glowed softly in the dim light of the Batcave. Alfred stood nearby with his hands folded behind his back as the program ran through thousands of voice samples.
MATCH FOUND: 89.4% MATCH
— Subject: Codename "Blade"
Former Status: MIA — Last Spotted: Central City, 3 Years Ago
Affiliation: UNKNOWN
Estimated Kill Count: 1000+
Threat Level: Highly Dangerous
Note: Subject classified under "NON-METAHUMAN EXCEPTIONAL." Lethality exceeds Deathstroke and matches Ra's al Ghul.
Alfred raised an eyebrow. "Highly dangerous level threat, and not a metahuman. I say, Master Bruce, you certainly know how to pick your enemies."
Batman's voice was heard from a communication earpiece. "This changes everything."
He sent a file to the batcomputer, and Alfred opened it as he saw the documents.
-----------------------
FILE: STELLARON HUNTERS:
Threat Classification: World Level / Cosmic-Level Threats
Origin: UNKNOWN
Known Members: UNKNOWN ( 2 Active Agents confirmed, Unknown if there are more, Pending 2 members unconfirmed if joined)
Known Sightings: Metropolis, Central City, Unconfirmed Sightings in Atlantis, Starling City
Subject #1 – Codename: BLADE
Species: Unknown (Presents as Human, Afflicted with an unknown curse)
Status: Active
Affiliation: Unknown if he had joined the group.
Primary Traits: Instant Regeneration, Sword Mastery, Berserker State Trigger – Unknown
Location: Gotham
Note: Possesses no known off-switch. Threat Level adjusted to Class Highly Dangerous in the event of mental destabilization.
Subject #2 – Codename: SILVER WOLF
Profile: Unknown Origin.
Species: Human
Appearance: Appears as a young female, operates under heavy digital programming.
Skills: Technomancy-level hacking, AI corruption, blackout creation, satellite hijacking.
Activity: Suspected in the Global Blackout last year.
Affiliation: Unknown if she joined the group
Location: Last tracked near Central City.
Subject #3 – Codename: KAFKA
Profile: Unknown. Observed ability to influence minds and neural activity through speech and proximity.
Species: Human
Appearance: Appears as a young woman, operates in the shadows, and at night
Note: Do not let her near Superman.
Affliction: Stellaron Hunter
Traits: Manipulative, lethal, untraceable. All audio recordings of her have degraded upon playback.
Status: Presumed Active.
Subject #4 – Codename: SAM
Profile: Enhanced Cyborg Lifeform
Species: Unknown Origin (Presents as Human Male, heavily augmented)
Appearance: Tall, muscular build, wears a mechanized combat exosuit. Wields two energy-modified swords from his suit.
Status: Active
Affliction: Stellaron Hunter
Threat Level: Highly Dangerous – Avoid direct engagement unless in reinforced mechanized armor or with energy-dampening tech.
Last Location: Starling City- Reported sighting by Green Arrow
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Alfred frowned. "So this Blade fellow isn't acting alone."
Batman's voice crackled through the comms, sounding certain. "No, but some of these are only speculations. Sam and Kafka are definitely working together, and this confirms it."
He uploaded another encrypted file, labeled:
PRIORITY CODE: ARKHAM INCIDENT - LEVEL RED.
As Alfred opened the file, the surveillance footage played on the screen. The corridors of Arkham Asylum were in chaos, flashes of activity appearing before the image cut to static. The footage resumed briefly, revealing that all but one camera had been destroyed. The remaining camera displayed a giant robot figure alongside a woman who was smiling at the camera. Suddenly, the robot punched the camera, shattering it into pieces.
FILE ATTACHMENT:
Incident Summary:
Arkham Asylum Security Breach – 1:27 AM
Guards: 19 Knocked Unconscious / 4 Critically Injured
Prisoners Released: 0
No Confirmed Casualties
Security Systems: Destroyed
Signature Left Behind: Chaos and a robot figure destroying the last camera
Conclusion: Not a mass breakout. Target Unknown. Surveillance was destroyed by Sam. Voice and video degradation suggest active interference.
Batman's voice continued. "Sam left his mark. He doesn't strike unless it's planned. They weren't there to free anyone."
Alfred leaned closer. "Then what were they doing inside Arkham?"
Batman's voice was like ice. "Recruitment. They were looking for him."
There was a pause.
"…They want Blade."
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Derek POV:
After a while, Spark and I managed to escape the bustle of the city and found ourselves on a rooftop. Although the city was a terrible place to live, the view was beautiful, especially with the lighting at that time.
"Woof!" Spark barked, as if he were agreeing with me.
I then pulled out a piece of beef jerky that was in the system's shop. It turns out I can also use the money I got from the massacre I committed. Now that I think about it, I still feel very guilty, but at the same time, I feel nothing, perhaps it's because of Blade's body.
I tore open the jerky wrapper and handed a strip to Spark.
"Here," I said quietly. "Eat up."
Spark wagged his tail, took the jerky gently from my hand, and sat down to devour it. For a brief second, the world seemed… okay. I crouched beside him, stroking the fur behind his ears. His body leaned into my touch, warm, real.
That tiny moment of peace ended when Spark suddenly froze mid-chew.
His ears perked up.
A low growl rumbled in his throat, lips peeling back, and fangs started to show in warning. His eyes were fixed on the darkness behind me.
I stood immediately.
A chill ran up my spine.
Then—
Footsteps.
The sound was faint, but close.
And then I turned around, a splotch of crimson filled his vision. A taste of iron flooded his mouth. And then—
Nothing.
His body refused to move.
His limbs were unresponsive.
—I must have died.
The world didn't go black, not immediately. There was pain, a flash of sound, a heavy metallic grip, and then—
Darkness.
But something strange followed. Not death… not exactly.
The thing that swallowed him was not man or beast. It was armor. Cold and unfeeling. Derek was held tightly, restrained, and completely immobilized in an inescapable grasp.
He couldn't see his attacker clearly, but he heard the voice of someone else nearby. Soft. Playful.
"Listen, I can always kill you again," the woman's voice said, hovering like a whisper in his ear. "Otherwise, I can't bring you back."
It was gentle. and a mother-like tone.
Derek blinked.
He knew that voice.
He would've known it anywhere.
The armored grip loosened just enough to let him breathe. As his vision cleared, he turned toward the speaker. The glint of sunglasses perched on her head. The mysterious smile. The unmistakable presence.
Kafka.
And standing behind me right now, before walking next to where Kafka, as if conjured from a nightmare wrapped in steel and was fast, was the armored figure: Sam
"Destiny is ahead," Sam said, the voice deep and distorted by the armor. "And you will be leaving with us."
Kafka approached with a casual sway, her tone almost teasing. "Listen, Bladie, loosen up."
There was no point in resisting. Not now. I'd been caught within hours of arriving in this world. I let out a breath and nodded slowly.
"I know who you are. I mean, who wouldn't?" I said dryly, trying to push past the dull throb of his recovering body. "Kafka and Sam, the infamous Stellaron Hunters."
I stood on my shaky legs, my body already regenerating, bones realigning beneath my skin. The system had shown 0% of the time when Sam had killed him; it happened so fast, he hadn't even seen it coming.
"I'll join you," Derek added. "This place… Gotham? It's already starting to wear thin. Not exactly my kind of scene."
Kafka looked a little surprised, perhaps at how quickly he accepted. Then again, maybe she wasn't. She smiled, genuinely pleased, and walked toward him.
"Well, that request will be accepted," she said, brushing imaginary dust off his collar. "Welcome aboard the Stellaron Hunters, Bladie."
Ding!
New Hidden Quest: "Destiny's Slave"
Objective: Join the Stellaron Hunters
Status: Completed
Found by: Sam and Kafka
Faction/Occupation Updated:Stellaron Hunters
Rewards:– New Party Members: Kafka & Sam
– Unlock: Future Quests
– Building Acquired: Opera Epiclese – Location: Metropolis
Spark whimpered as he licked my fingers as I patted his head signaling I'm fine, his body slinking behind my legs… but SAM's gaze shifted downward.
He stared at Spark for a long moment.
Then, as if unable to help himself, the mechanical behemoth reached out slowly—hand open.
Spark hesitated. A soft, uncertain whine escaped him again. SAM didn't move further, just kept his hand there, waiting.
Then Spark licked it.
SAM pulled back his mechanical hand and looked at it like he wasn't sure what to do next, and simply nodded.
Maybe... maybe he liked dogs.
"Now…" Kafka said, trying not to laugh at what Sam did, turning toward the city skyline with an unreadable smile, "We have another member to find. Elio foresaw it in the Script."
She paused, glancing at Derek.
"Her codename is Silver Wolf. Last sighting she was in was Central City."
Derek gave a half-smirk, the fog of his near-death fading slowly from his mind. "Right. Silver Wolf...
Kafka nodded. "Mm-hm. You'll like her. Probably."
Derek fell into step behind them. Sam led the way with heavy metallic steps, while Kafka's presence was like walking beside a spider in a spiderweb, dangerous, unpredictable, but strangely comforting.
As they disappeared into the Gotham rooftop at night, Derek allowed himself to finally think. To breathe.
To examine the system that had been thrust upon him.
Whatever this was… it wasn't just another isekai story.
This was war. A slow unraveling of fate, script, and sanity.
And for better or worse, he had just joined the 'script".
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