Heaven's wrath is broken.
Superman lies bleeding.
The Moon bears scars.
And the universe… holds its breath.
But the ones who could end Elias with a whisper?
The gods?
The cosmic council?
They. Stay. Silent.
Because now… they watch.
They evaluate.
They want to know what Elias truly is — a weapon, a warning, or a world-breaker becoming a god.
Location: The Crossroads Realm – Council of Gods
The divine circle remains unbroken. Seven thrones. Seven cosmic powers.
• Highfather's hands are clasped, knuckles pale.
• Hecate drinks shadowwine from a floating skull.
• Zauriel's seat remains empty.
• The Spectre's eyes burn. But he does not move.
Not one of them speaks.
They watch the celestial projection in the center — Elias dragging Zauriel's limp body across the moon, laughing, mocking, bleeding and brilliant.
He should have been judged.
But instead, he's become… interesting.
Monitor, glowing with multiversal fractals, speaks first:
"He grows. He adapts beyond all predictive threads. If he survives, he redefines the hierarchy."
Hecate licks blood off her fingers.
"He's an artist. Of pain. A bastard child of Darkseid and irony. I adore him."
Highfather scowls.
"He is unstable. Every breath he takes warps balance. Yet… there is restraint. He did not kill Zauriel."
Phantom Stranger, silent as ever, raises his hand.
And for a moment, an echo plays — Elias's whisper to the unconscious angel:
"Tell them I could've killed you. I didn't. That's mercy. Remember it."
A beat.
The Spectre leans forward now. His voice is thunder soaked in law.
"He needs no trial. He is the trial. For Earth. For the League. For us."
The Presence's Shadow says nothing.
But its flicker… becomes brighter.
Location: Watchtower Medbay
Zauriel lies unconscious. Hooked to celestial IVs. Healing magic from every corner of Earth's mystics keeps him stable.
Superman sits beside him — arms bruised, cape burned, jaw clenched.
Elias walks in with zero shame.
"Look at you both," he mutters. "One divine lapdog and one solar boy scout — and neither could keep up."
Clark stands. "Why are you here?"
"To watch him heal," Elias says. "I gave him mercy. Thought I'd enjoy the view."
"You broke his wings," Diana snaps from the doorway.
Elias turns, eyes glowing faintly.
"He pointed a sword at me. He preached. I don't like preachers."
"Not everyone who confronts you is a betrayer."
Elias moves close — too close.
"Then they better learn to kneel, or they'll wish they were."
Batman steps from the shadows. "And what about you?"
"What about me?" Elias replies, teeth bared.
"You act like you're untouchable. But you're rattling the cage. They're watching."
Elias grins, slow and cruel.
"I know."
Across the Universe – Various Reactions
New Genesis
The Forever People observe Elias's latest fight in stunned silence. Highfather withholds judgment.
Apokolips
Granny Goodness stares into fire. "He's a child trying to wear Uxas's crown… but the fire fits him too well."
The Green Lantern Corps
John Stewart reads the reports and whispers, "He made Parallax bleed. That shouldn't be possible."
Themyscira
The Oracle of Delphi screams during meditation, repeating the same line:
"He who bears Omega shall become Alpha."
Location: Elias's System Interface – Internal
[System Log Update]
• New Trait: Merciful Tyrant – You may spare without weakening fear.
• New Passive: Watched by Gods – Your choices now affect divine alignment.
• Skill Unlock Progress: True Omega Genesis: 37%
• Hidden Trait Progression Detected: ???
Elias closes the menu with a sigh.
"I liked it better when I was the underdog."
A knock.
Not a door — a sound that thunders across time.
BOOM. TUBE. OPENS.
Elias steps back, eyes wide.
A silhouette steps forward — not Darkseid.
But Desaad.
A grin stretched across ancient cruelty.
"I bring word, little tyrant," he says, bowing mockingly.
"He is watching."