The Watchtower hovered above Earth like an ever-watching eye — silent, radiant, perfect. A marvel of combined Kryptonian, Martian, Atlantean, and human technology. It was designed to protect the world.
But the moment Elias Kade stepped into its halls, it felt like a cage made of pride.
He looked around at the sterile corridors, humming consoles, and armed guards.
"Let me guess," he said, his voice dripping sarcasm, "this is where you put the freaks you don't trust but can't kill."
Wonder Woman didn't reply. She walked ahead, silent, sword still strapped to her back.
Elias smiled darkly, the Omega mark burning faintly beneath his shirt.
[System: Analyzing power sources – Kryptonian radiation: detected]
[Recommendation: Restraint advised – Kal-El present]
His boots echoed off the floor as they reached the main briefing hall. The full League was there.
Batman. Aquaman. Martian Manhunter. Superman.
Superman stood in the center, arms crossed, watching Elias with concern — not fear, not yet.
Elias smirked and clapped slowly.
"Well, well. The mythic gods of Earth, all lined up to judge the little sinner. I feel so special."
Batman narrowed his eyes. "This isn't a trial, Kade."
"No? Then what is it? A family intervention?"
Superman stepped forward. "We want to help you. The system inside you is dangerous, but it's not inherently evil. You still have a choice."
Elias tilted his head, eyes glowing faintly red now.
"I've already made it."
He paced slowly, tauntingly.
"You're all the same. Cloaks and codes. Justice and rules. But the moment someone doesn't fit your mold? Suddenly it's 'containment protocol' time."
Cyborg's voice crackled through the speakers. "He's unstable. His Omega surge nearly ripped through three buildings."
"I was aiming for your smug metal face," Elias replied. "Sadly, your skull's too thick."
Flash muttered to Arthur, "He's charming. Like a burning orphanage."
Elias pointed at him. "Run your mouth again, Barry. I'll rewrite your nervous system to run backward."
Superman raised his hand. "Enough."
The temperature in the room dropped.
Elias turned fully to Kal-El now.
"You wanna be the leader? The savior?" he said, stepping closer. "Then save this. I don't need your pity, Clark. I don't need your rules. And I sure as hell don't need your lectures about responsibility. I've seen what responsibility gets people. Graves. Pits. Worlds in ruin."
Diana stepped forward. "We're not your enemies, Elias."
"I know," he said, voice suddenly soft.
He turned to face her.
"You're their conscience. The only one here who actually fights for something more than ego or guilt. I respect that."
She raised a brow. "That almost sounded like sincerity."
He smirked.
"Don't get used to it."
As the League debated, Elias's System activated silently:
[New Skill Path Unlocked: Omega Override – Manipulate electronic and psionic structures at will]
Subskill: Neural Desync (Disarm, Disable, Disrupt)
Cooldown: 45 seconds
[System Mission Update: Find the Betrayer – Source within the Watchtower]
Elias's eyes narrowed. Someone in the League had sold intel to Apokolips. He could feel it in the code. The Mother Box never lied.
He spoke aloud, cutting through their discussion.
"By the way," he said, voice rising, "one of you here is already compromised."
The room froze.
Batman stepped forward. "Explain."
Elias let the silence stretch. Then his smile widened like a scalpel.
"I'll let them explain. After I break them."
A low thrumming began in the floor beneath their feet. Elias's presence triggered a resonance in the Watchtower's Apokoliptian tech—hidden systems embedded during early construction, unnoticed even by Cyborg.
Suddenly, a siren blared.
[Security Breach – Omega Signal Activation]
The lights flickered. Walls pulsed faintly red.
Elias stepped back, hands raised mockingly.
"Oops," he said. "Did I do that?"
"Stop it now!" Clark commanded, his voice cutting through the noise.
Elias stared at him, uncaring.
"You don't command me, Kryptonian. You're just another glorified lantern glowing under a yellow sun."
"You're not helping yourself."
"I'm not trying to help. I'm here to tear your house down until only truth is left."
Batman moved, fast—but Elias moved faster.
The Omega System flared.
[Neural Desync – Activated]
Bruce froze mid-lunge, clutching his cowl as pain danced across his brain like knives. He collapsed to one knee.
"Don't ever try to rush me," Elias growled. "You think wearing a bat makes you a predator? I was raised in a pit of liars, thieves, and gods. You're just a man with a plan and a trust fund."
He looked down at him.
"And I'm not your charity case."
Diana moved then, placing herself between Elias and Bruce.
"Enough. You've made your point."
Elias breathed heavily. But he didn't strike. His gaze found hers again — and held it.
He calmed.
"Get me a secure room. I'll find your traitor. I'll dissect them piece by piece."
"And when you do?" she asked quietly.
"Then I'll burn them out of this world."
The League reluctantly gave him space.
Elias sat alone in a dark observation chamber, plugged into the tower's inner systems. Lights flickered around him as the Omega Signal pulsed outward.
One by one, data fragments floated around him like burning petals.
A name began to form.
A pattern.
A betrayal.
Someone had sold coordinates to Granny Goodness, and they'd masked it as a Tower diagnostic update. But the code spoke to Elias.
It whispered the name.
He grinned like a knife.
"Well," he said aloud, "how poetic."
[Target Identified]
League Member: Redacted
Betrayal Confirmed
Elimination Protocol: Armed
Awaiting Final Directive
Elias leaned back.
"You betray trust… you forfeit protection."
His eyes burned crimson.
"Time to remind the League what happens when you gamble with the Devil's dice."