The warehouse smelled of rust and dust, shadows pooling between stacks of crates like forgotten secrets. Jason moved cautiously, the stolen cash heavy in his pack but his mind heavier still. He wasn't looking for a fight — not tonight.
Voices cut the silence — sharp, deliberate.
Two figures emerged: a man cloaked in dark green, bow drawn taut, and a younger figure with a red hood pulled back, eyes sharp and alert. Green Arrow and Speedy.
Jason's Six Eyes flickered faintly beneath dark glasses, scanning with practiced precision.
He swallowed hard and raised his hands, voice steady despite the pounding in his chest.
"Look, I'm not here for a fight. Just trying to get by."
Oliver's eyes narrowed but his bow remained raised.
Speedy's gaze hardened. "Drop whatever you've got. And walk away."
Jason shook his head, voice low but firm. "I don't want this to get ugly. Just need some space."
Tension snapped — Speedy fired.
A trick arrow zipped low, meant to trip. Jason bent space, warping the arrow past his ankle where it thudded into a crate.
He braced and engaged his CE Reinforcement. Despite only one day of training, his cursed energy mastery was rough — around three times what a beginner might have. Still, that was enough to boost his strength, speed, and durability well beyond peak human limits.
His breath steadied, muscles buzzing with raw power.
"That wasn't a warning shot," Oliver said grimly.
Jason's pulse kicked. He summoned Blue, the soft glow pulsing at his fingertips as he carefully compressed cursed energy.
"Don't make me do this," he warned, voice low.
Roy advanced, firing a rapid stream of arrows — nets, smoke, sonic blasts. Jason twisted space around him, dodging with agility sharpened by CE Reinforcement. His Limitless barrier flickered, soaking hits but straining as seconds slipped away.
Oliver circled, shots precise.
Jason pushed Blue harder, blasting controlled bursts that forced them back.
Still, the fight drained him. His Limitless could hold for around 50 to 55 seconds — mastery shaky, fatigue creeping in. CE Reinforcement eased the strain but couldn't erase exhaustion.
Oliver's voice cut through. "Kid, you don't have to be this way."
Jason's breath caught. "Maybe. But no one's shown me a better way."
The fight continued — tense, tactical. Jason's Six Eyes tracked every flicker, but the toll was clear.
Finally, Oliver lowered his bow, stepping back cautiously. "We're not your enemies."
Jason nodded slowly, blue glow fading beneath his glasses. Exhaustion wrapped around him like a heavy cloak.
The two vanished into shadows, leaving Jason alone with the cold city breathing all around him.