69 Darkseid Commands It #69

Yolanda's brow knitted as she processed my words, a blend of worry and perplexity clouding her features. "But you just protected us, didn't you?" she prodded. "Can you keep us shielded from Eclipso's mind games the whole way through?"

I let out an internal sigh, knowing my response wouldn't be what she wanted to hear. "I'm afraid that's a tall order," I admitted, my voice carrying a mix of regret and resolve.

It was a fib, plain and simple. I could continue to safeguard the Shadow Fighters from Eclipso's sway, but frankly, it was a headache I preferred to sidestep. Peacemaker, the Creeper, and Manhunter were ticking time bombs of anger and violence, ripe for possession. Keeping them on a leash would be a job in itself, and frankly, the risk wasn't worth the reward.

"Regrettable as it may be, it's time for a parting of ways—for everyone's sake," I stated, hoping they'd understand without pressing the matter further.

Bruce Gordon's eyes widened in disbelief at my declaration. "So, you're just going to ditch us and fly solo?" he blurted out, desperation edging into his voice. "That's practically a death sentence for most of us!"

Meeting his gaze head-on, I stood my ground. "You knew the risks when you signed up for this mission and even dragged these people along with you..." I retorted, my words measured and unyielding.

Gordon's expression soured, but before he could retort, I raised a hand to cut him off. "You should've all been ready to meet your maker when you accepted this mission. But I'm not about to let you die in vain," I continued, fishing a small black stone from the depths of my cape.

With a firm grip, I crushed the black stone in my palm, channeling my will into it. "Time for you all to head home," I declared, my voice carrying a somber weight.

As the final syllable left my lips, a swirling black portal materialized beside me, and from its depths emerged a familiar figure—Raven, the pale-skinned empath.

"You're still alive... that's good," she remarked, her tone dry as desert sand as she eyed me. "I feared we'd lost you back there in Parador," she continued, her violet eyes assessing me with a mix of relief and suspicion.

My brow furrowed in confusion. "Lost me? What happened?" I inquired, my mind racing to fill in the blanks.

Raven's expression shifted, a hint of disbelief coloring her features. "You really don't know?" she questioned, a note of incredulity in her voice.

I shook my head, my curiosity piqued. "I don't. Did something happen to Parador...?" I trailed off, waiting for her response.

Her sigh was heavy with the weight of grim news. "Parador is gone," she revealed, her voice tinged with sorrow. "Satellite imagery showed the entire island engulfed in flames. Everyone there is presumed dead," she concluded, her words casting a pall over the gathered Shadow Fighters.

Gasps of shock and dismay rippled through the group, their faces reflecting the horror of the revelation. But amidst the chaos, my gaze found its way to Bruce Gordon.

If only the truth about the threat had been laid bare from the start—if only Waller and her cronies had been forthcoming—maybe the Justice League could have intervened. Maybe an entire nation wouldn't have been reduced to ashes.

But this grim turn of events only solidified a nagging suspicion that had been gnawing at me for some time now: for some reason, Eclipso can't or won't kill Bruce Gordon, despite Gordon's possession of the key to Eclipso's downfall—the solar tech.

With a heavy heart and a steely resolve, I set my plan into motion. "Change of plans—Gordon stays," I announced firmly, striding over to Bruce Gordon and seizing him by the collar. "Raven, send the rest back to Earth," I directed, turning to the pale empath.

Without a word, Raven complied, conjuring dark portals beneath the feet of the Shadow Fighters, one by one whisking them away from the shadowy grip of Eclipso's palace.

"What in the hell are you—?" Bruce Gordon began to protest, but I cut him off with a swift, decisive headbutt, knocking him unconscious before he could finish.

Raven regarded me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Why keep him here?" she inquired, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Eclipso can't kill Gordon for some reason," I explained tersely. "And if worst comes to worst, we might just need that," I added, my grip tightening on Gordon's limp form.

Her eyes widened in realization, flicking between me and the unconscious Gordon. "Are you sure about this?" she pressed, her tone edged with doubt.

"Absolutely," I affirmed, my voice laced with grim determination. "After so many people died, doing this the right way is a luxury we can't afford. We have to stop Eclipso by any means necessary," I declared, hoisting Gordon's body over my shoulder.

"If sacrificing this guy is what it takes, then I'll take full responsibility for it," I concluded, my resolve unshakable as I prepared to face whatever darkness lay ahead.

...

In the dark, ominous throne room of Eclipso's palace, the villain sat upon his darkened throne, his eyes fixated on the swirling shadows within the floating mirrors before him. With a sinister grin, he watched as Crusader made his way through the palace, the flickering light of his powers illuminating the shadows around him.

Though Crusader posed a threat with his formidable light abilities, Eclipso remained confident. Thanks to the illusion spells woven throughout the palace, the hero would never reach the throne room—no matter how valiant his efforts.

As Eclipso reveled in his future plans, the destruction of Parador loomed large in his mind. Already, the world's nations were on edge, pointing fingers and assigning blame. And who would take the fall? None other than the US government, Amanda Waller, and the Office of Metahuman Affairs. Perfect.

All Eclipso needed now were a few unwitting pawns to lure into his palace, and he would have everything he needed to dispose of Crusader, Bruce Gordon, and anyone else foolish enough to stand in his way.

But just as he basked in his impending triumph, a suffocating presence enveloped the room. Eclipso's blood ran cold as a shadowy, towering figure materialized before him. With eyes glowing red and a hand poised ominously, the projection of Darkseid's will regarded Eclipso with disdain, as though he were nothing more than an insignificant insect.

"I've been keeping my eyes on you... your schemes were most entertaining, but this is as far as you go..." Darkseid's voice echoed through the chamber, a chilling warning to Eclipso. "You'd do well to keep your ambitions confined to Earth, or I will have you crushed," he intoned, his words dripping with menace.

Gritting his teeth, Eclipso nodded, knowing better than to defy the might of Darkseid. "I understand, Lord Darkseid. I will remain on Earth," he vowed, his voice tinged with trepidation.

He was willing to play the long game. Though he was helpless before Darkseid now, the time will come when Eclipso rose to rival him in power. He would oblige the God of Evil and tyranny and limit himself to Earth for now, but when the time came, Eclipso intended to have the entire universe bowing before him. 

Darkseid looked at Eclipso with thinly veiled amusement as if he could see right through him, but he quickly lost interest. 

With a dismissive wave, the Apokoliptan tyrant turned his attention to the shadowy mirrors, his interest piqued by the sight of Crusader and Raven navigating through the palace. "The aspect of chaos and the demon's daughter... perhaps my visit was unwarranted after all," he mused cryptically.

Eclipso couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean, Lord Darkseid?"

Darkseid's response was enigmatic, his tone laden with ominous portent. "You shall soon see," he replied, his gaze fixed on the swirling shadows before him. "Struggle with all your might, oh discarded shadow... by all means, make it amusing. Darkseid commands it." 

The words echoed in the throne room as the projection of Darkseid's domineering will slowly fade out of existence as if it were never there.