Superman was gone. The wind left in his wake lingered a moment longer, rustling the edges of Arias's blazer before it faded into stillness.
Arias scoffed softly and lowered his gaze, the faint smirk never leaving his face. Then, without a word, he resumed walking—each step steady and unhurried—as he approached the Leviathan Tower's entrance.
Behind him, the men of the security detail remained frozen. Some still held their weapons rigidly, uncertain whether to relax or brace for something worse. Their eyes flicked toward their commanding officer, who hadn't moved an inch. Not even when Arias passed him.
Tala and Cheshire followed closely behind, neither sparing the soldiers a glance. Cheshire walked with a subtle sway in her step, hands lazily tucked behind her back. Tala's arms were crossed tightly, her gaze full of disdain as she finally glanced briefly at the men still standing in silence.
As the trio moved further ahead, the commanding officer finally stirred. His brow furrowed, his mouth opening slightly as if to speak—but no words came. Instead, he exhaled sharply through his nose and turned, raising one arm to signal his unit.
"Back in formation," he ordered, voice rough. "We're not done yet."
The men obeyed immediately, grateful for the order if only because it gave them something to do.
Arias led the way up the marble steps, the sound of his shoes hitting the stone echoing faintly with each step. The grand façade of the Leviathan Tower loomed overhead, cold and imposing, its architecture polished to unnatural perfection.
Despite the building's size, the lobby could be seen as eerily empty.
Machines could spotted gliding silently across the floors. Outside, compact devices attached to the windows moved in slow, calculated lines, cleaning glass that was already spotless.
The contrast with the rest of Gotham was jarring. Outside, chaos. Here, stillness. It wasn't peace—it was deterrence. No one dared to touch Arias's properties. The same reason the Ark Academies stood unscathed even during his absence.
As they approached the tall entrance doors, the commanding officer raised his voice, barking out orders like he was back on the battlefield.
"Team Alpha, secure the roof. Team Bravo, sweep the ground floor and perimeter. Team Charlie, stay on the same floor as Leviathan. You rotate every three hours, check-ins every fifteen. Understood?"
"Sir!" the soldiers responded in unison.
More commands followed as he turned to address the second line of men still organizing themselves.
"You'll take alternating shifts for patrol. No blind spots. Tight formations, silent comms only. I want eyes on every angle."
The soldiers scrambled to position, some already moving to their designated posts, the rest gathering just behind Arias, waiting for him to open the door.
But Arias didn't move.
He stopped just shy of the body scanner's activation zone.
One hand still in his pocket, the other resting casually by his side.
The men behind him hesitated. Several exchanged glances. The commanding officer, still mid-instruction, noticed the pause and turned. His frown deepened when he saw Arias standing still.
Before he could speak, Arias did.
His voice came soft, casual—almost too casual.
"Well, Commander," he said, turning slightly so that only part of his face was visible. "As much as I've enjoyed your company since returning to Gotham… I think it's time we part ways."
He smiled. But the words carried no warmth. The meaning was unmistakable.
Stand down. And leave.
The men behind him didn't need a translator. Their feet shifted, weight uneasily transferred from one leg to the other. Some instinctively checked their weapons. All eyes went to the commander.
Cheshire, smooth as silk, adjusted her posture. Her arms draped loosely now, shoulders relaxed. She tilted her head slightly toward Arias, a coy smile on her lips. But her eyes never once left the soldiers. It was misdirection—flawless and easy. She looked like she was playing along.
She wasn't.
Tala, on the other hand, made no effort to hide her disapproval. She turned around, arms still crossed, and simply stared at the men. Her lips curved downward, her gaze hard. No subtlety. No performance. Just disdain
The silence dragged a second longer than it should have.
Then the commanding officer stepped forward. His fists clenched at his sides. His jaw was tight enough to crack. His eyes—furious.
But he said nothing to Arias.
Instead, he turned to his men and barked, "Fall back!"
No hesitation. Not a single soldier argued. Not one asked for clarification. Deep down, most were relieved. It was a silent retreat dressed in discipline.
The group moved quickly, boots tapping across the marble floor as they stepped back in formation. The air shifted again—lighter now, like the pressure had been released.
Arias hadn't expected the commander to stand down so easily. Not that it changed anything—but it did earn a flicker of interest. Still, he didn't let the moment breathe longer than necessary.
"Good," Arias said flatly, his voice casual, yet clipped. "It's nice to see you making the smart decision for once."
Mockery. Unfiltered and direct.
The commanding officer heard it loud and clear.
He didn't respond. He just stood there, arms tense at his sides, watching Arias turn and step forward.
**Beep** **Authorization accepted**
The glass doors of the Leviathan Tower slid open with a smooth hiss, revealing the luxury beyond. Cold. Pristine.
Arias took one step inside, and then another.
That was when the voice came, hard and bitter behind him.
"One day..." the commander said, not yelling, not whispering. "One day all the terrible things you've done to this country and its people... they'll come back to haunt you."
Arias didn't slow down. His stride remained exact, every step silent and composed. Cheshire followed behind him, her expression unreadable save for the glint of amusement still present at the corner of her lips.
He didn't even acknowledge the words. He'd heard better threats. He'd delivered worse truths.
But Tala stopped.
Not completely—just enough that her heel dragged slightly on the marble as she turned her head, her scowl already forming.
The urge was immediate. She wanted to lash out. To make the commander regret every syllable. Maybe turn him into something slimy and nonverbal.
It would be easy.
She glanced at Arias's back, waiting for the signal that never came.
He didn't look back.
Didn't even flinch.
His disinterest said enough.
Tala's irritation flared—annoyed more with herself for thinking it might win her points. She bit back her response, eyes narrowing into a sharp glare instead.
Then she turned and walked inside.
Hiss.
The doors closed behind her, sealing the world out.
The commanding officer stood alone, surrounded by his men, yet feeling somehow isolated.
He stared at the shut entrance, jaw clenched tight.
'They'll understand,' he thought, barely convincing himself. 'They have to.'