Whoosh!
The aluminum alloy arrow cut through the air with a sharp vibration, striking a soldier square in the chest. The impact dropped him instantly.
Like a seasoned hunter locking onto prey, Green Arrow fired with flawless timing, each shot precise and efficient. His movements carried a refined control, every arrow released with elegance and lethal accuracy.
Nearby, Nightwing moved.
With his short staff spinning in his grip, he surged forward into the cluster of soldiers. Even while surrounded, he maintained control of the battlefield, striking with relentless speed. His attacks came like a storm, overwhelming the opposition as bodies hit the ground one after another.
Glancing at the advancing soldiers, Nightwing tightened his stance and called out, "We need to move, now!"
"Relax."
The Cloud Staff in Death's hand sliced through the air with a sharp whistle, slamming into a soldier's midsection. The man crumpled immediately, groaning in pain.
Death stepped forward without hesitation, clearing the path ahead with brutal efficiency. The last soldier blocking the way dropped, leaving a direct route to the prison entrance.
"You rookies should keep quiet."
His tone was cold as he charged ahead, dismantling anyone who dared step into his path. Within seconds, he reached the entrance to the metahuman cells and pushed inside at full speed.
Nightwing frowned at the arrogance but said nothing. He followed closely, matching Death's pace as they entered the corridor.
Behind them, Green Arrow covered their retreat, arrows flying in rapid succession to suppress the remaining guards.
Keeping pace, Nightwing glanced sideways. "Didn't think you'd be this loud with your attitude."
Death didn't even look at him. "You'll see more than attitude. Stick around and I'll teach you properly, rookie."
They pressed deeper into the facility.
Thanks to Captain Atom breaching the prison's control system, the security lockdown had been neutralized. Doors opened without resistance, allowing them to advance without delay.
Guided by General Swanwick's intel, they reached Laurel's cell quickly.
Green Arrow stepped forward, exhaling slowly as he worked the access panel. Within seconds, the lock disengaged and the door slid open.
Inside, Black Canary had been listening closely to the chaos outside. The sudden opening of the door made her turn sharply.
Her eyes widened.
"You…?"
She stared at the figure in front of her, disbelief flooding her expression. The face was familiar, impossibly so.
"It's me."
The voice confirmed it before her mind fully caught up.
Green Arrow lowered his hood.
Even behind the mask, there was no mistaking him. Oliver Queen stood before her.
Emotion hit instantly. Black Canary closed the distance and threw her arms around him, holding him tightly as if afraid he might vanish again.
For a brief moment, the world outside didn't exist.
Death and Nightwing stood nearby, both pausing awkwardly. They exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. Despite being on opposite sides before, they now shared the same thought.
This was not their moment.
But it didn't last.
A presence entered the corridor, sharp and commanding.
Mera.
She stood a short distance away, her red hair catching the light. No one had noticed her arrival. Behind her were two women, one tall with a striking figure, the other slightly shorter with a cold, unreadable expression.
They were former threats in Smallville, once aligned with the so called Fairytale Queen. After their defeat and capture by Adrian, they had been reassigned as guards within this prison.
Mera raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over the group.
"You all look quite relaxed."
The shift in atmosphere was immediate.
Death and Nightwing raised their weapons. Green Arrow and Black Canary separated, their focus snapping toward the new threat.
Death's voice came low from within his helmet. "You in charge here? One of Homelander's people?"
"Maybe," Mera replied, her tone calm, almost curious.
Her eyes lingered on them, understanding forming. Adrian had anticipated this. That was why she had been stationed here.
"Whoever you are, leaving won't be an option."
Nightwing tightened his grip on his staff. "That's not your call."
Mera let out a quiet breath. "I'd prefer to let you walk out. Unfortunately, that would cost me more than it's worth."
Then she moved.
A surge of water burst forward, a powerful stream crashing toward them like a living force. It slammed into the ground near Death, exploding on impact and forcing him back.
He dodged, but the force disrupted his balance, sending his weapon flying from his grip.
Nightwing reacted instantly, rushing toward her, but the two women behind Mera stepped in.
Annie raised her hand.
Water in the corridor became her weapon.
With a sharp cry, ice formed instantly, shaping into a wall of jagged spears suspended in the air. Each one gleamed with deadly precision.
The spears launched.
Nightwing's eyes tracked the attack, his instincts firing. He dropped low, bending backward at an extreme angle, his body nearly parallel to the ground. The spear grazed past him and embedded itself deep into the wall behind.
He pushed off the ground and sprang back up, but the danger wasn't over.
The floor beneath him began to freeze.
Frost spread rapidly, racing toward him like a living wave. If it reached him, he would be immobilized.
"Watch out!" Black Canary shouted.
Nightwing didn't hesitate. He fired his grappling gun.
The hook latched onto the ceiling. With a sharp pull, he lifted off the ground just as the ice consumed the space where he had stood.
Annie clenched her teeth. "Damn it."
Elsewhere, Death had already engaged Ivanna.
He closed the distance in an instant, delivering a punch that carried enough force to distort the air itself. Ivanna twisted aside, narrowly avoiding it.
But the attack shifted mid motion.
His strike softened, transforming into a precise palm that slammed into her torso. The impact landed against her ice armor, dulling the damage but not eliminating it.
She countered immediately, grabbing his arm and twisting hard, aiming to break it.
Instead, Death moved with it.
Using her force, he spun free, his body rotating fluidly before snapping into a high kick that sent her flying back.
Ivanna staggered, clutching her chest as she struggled to regain control. Pain flickered across her expression, but she forced herself to focus.
Ice surged again.
A wall rose from the ground, thick and unyielding, enclosing the entire area. It formed a solid barrier, strong enough to withstand heavy weaponry.
At the same time, ice armor reinforced her body.
Death advanced, but the moment he neared the wall, it shifted.
The massive structure slammed into him from the side.
The impact sent him crashing to the ground. Blood spilled from his mouth as he struggled to rise.
On the other side, Mera pressed her advantage.
She didn't give Green Arrow a chance to act. Water surged from all directions, striking both him and Black Canary with overwhelming force.
They were thrown back into the wall.
Before they could recover, the water wrapped around them, binding their limbs and dragging Green Arrow forward.
Mera stepped in, her eyes glowing faintly.
She seized him by the throat.
Green Arrow struggled, pain tightening his expression as the pressure increased.
But before she could say a word, a figure burst into the scene.
Mera released him instantly, stepping back to avoid the incoming strike.
Green Arrow dropped to the ground, coughing as he clutched his neck, pulling in air.
He looked up.
Captain Atom stood before them once again.