The gods went silent.
The League clipped his wings.
And yet…
Elias still smiles.
Because what they don't understand is:
You don't break a storm by caging it.
You feed it.
Location: Watchtower Training Level – Week One of Nerf Protocol
Elias moves through a brutal obstacle course.
Sweat pours. Muscles scream.
No Omega powers. No system boosts. No regeneration.
Just raw, unrefined rage-chiseled will.
He punches until his knuckles split.
Bleeds.
Then punches harder.
"Again," he mutters.
The League tech resets the gauntlet.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Observing Room – Superman, Flash, Green Lantern (John Stewart)
Flash munches popcorn. "He's really going hard for a guy who got one-tapped."
Stewart folds his arms. "He's adapting. Fast. Too fast."
Superman narrows his eyes. "He's studying us. All of us."
Flash: "You sure we're not making him stronger by doing this?"
Superman: "We are. But he has to feel weakness in his bones before we let him taste power again."
Medbay – Later That Night
Elias limps in alone, arms purple with bruises. Medical bots hover. He waves them off.
He collapses into a chair, cracks open a nutrient pack with blood on his lip.
Martian Manhunter appears from the shadows.
"Why do you not rest, Elias?"
Elias: "Rest is for the satisfied. I'm just pissed."
J'onn stares into him with unreadable expression. "You crave power… but what is it you truly want?"
Elias glares up, eyes cold.
"Control."
A pause.
Then a small, twisted smile.
"And revenge."
Location: Justice League Cafeteria – Day 12
Rookie heroes now treat Elias like a joke.
Some place bets on when he'll break.
Others record footage of him eating League-approved protein mush with scorn in his eyes.
He hears it all.
He doesn't flinch.
But he memorizes every voice.
Location: Watchtower Combat Sim #6
Today's training partner: Superman.
With full powers.
Elias? Still nerfed.
"Let's dance, blue boy," Elias says, rolling his shoulders.
Clark cracks his neck. "I won't go easy."
"Good," Elias smirks. "I'm tired of people treating me like a project."
The simulation begins. Clark moves instantly — faster than light.
SLAM.
Elias flies backward, crashes through four reinforced barriers.
He lands in a heap.
Groaning. Gasping.
Spits blood.
Then?
Laughs.
"Is that all you got, god-boy?"
Superman frowns.
"Don't you ever learn?"
Elias stands. Staggering. But still smiling.
"I'm not here to learn.
I'm here to make you all wish you broke me when you had the chance."
System Update – Internal Log (Not Visible to League)
[Passive Growth Detected]
• Emotional Fuel Rate: +120%
• Combat Efficiency (Unpowered): +45%
• Mental Fortitude: Reaching Omega Threshold
• You have learned how to grow without your system.
• Now imagine what you'll become when it comes back online.
Celestial Realm – Council Observation
The Council of Gods watches again.
Spectre, aloof but intrigued.
Highfather, disturbed.
Trigon... amused.
And The Presence's shadow remains silent.
A new voice speaks from the edges of the divine chamber.
A female figure cloaked in stardust and decay: Lady Perpetua.
"This mortal... is not one of fate.
He is one of rebellion."
The Council says nothing.
But the walls of the realm tremble slightly.
Justice League – Watchtower Quarters (Night 14)
Batman visits Elias in his room.
The air is tense. Silent.
Elias sits on his bed, arms still bruised. Still smiling.
Batman places a file on his table.
"Your trial ends in two weeks."
Elias raises a brow. "And if I'm not the humble puppy you want by then?"
Bruce doesn't flinch.
"You'll be exiled."
Elias stands, walking up to him.
Only an inch separates them now.
He whispers with venomous calm:
"Then you better pray I never get my system back…
…because when I do—
I'll make the word 'exile' sound like a mercy."
Batman stares into his eyes.
Then turns, silently, and walks away.
Final Scene: Elias Alone, Staring at Earth from Watchtower Window
He speaks to no one. But the system records every word.
"Let them laugh.
Let them mock.
Let them cage me."
"I'll crawl if I have to.
Bleed if I must.
Break if it gets me back what's mine."
He puts his hand on the glass, watching the blue world below.
"And when the leash breaks…"
He smirks wide, eyes burning with something darker than fury.
"…they'll all learn what it means to leash a wolf and forget it's a god in disguise."
System Countdown: 16 Days Remaining…