Axel stepped out of his car, nonchalant, staring at the completely blocked road. Around him, frustrated drivers had already abandoned their vehicles, craning their necks to see the chaos ahead.
"Damn it, I still have two reports to finish!"
"My girlfriend gets off at 4:30, and I need to get home—why is the traffic so awful?!"
"What the hell happened in Gotham this time? Can't Falcone control his city anymore?!"
Amid the endless curses, Axel scanned the bridge. In the distance, flames and explosions erupted—an overturned tanker ignited a roaring inferno. No fire trucks had arrived yet, and the fire was too intense to get close. At this rate, the bridge would remain blocked for several more minutes.
Axel pulled out his phone to call Liv, but a passerby suddenly bumped into his shoulder, muttering,
"Damn, I have a cocktail party to—"
"Wait."
Before the man could finish, Axel yanked him forward, palm raised, and slapped him across the face.
Slap!
The man's head snapped to the side, teeth flying in all directions. Bystanders gasped and turned toward the source. With casual brutality, Axel lifted the man and kneed him in the groin, sending him sprawling.
"Oh!"
"Holy crap!"
"Fuck!"
"Hiss!"
The crowd instinctively crossed their legs, while Axel, tossing the man aside, spoke into the phone.
"It's me, Axel. Stuck on Kane Bridge. Arrange a pickup."
"Understood, Wraith," Liv replied, calm. "I'm just an intermediary—I don't have a helicopter. I'll need to contact Falcone."
"Do it. That old man won't mind sending one. I wonder if word got out about Smallville… If he knew Ra's al Ghul died by my hand, he'd be thrilled to owe me a favor. Hmm… Damn it, this can't be his doing here at Kane Bridge… He wouldn't be that stupid, right?"
Axel hung up and crossed his arms, waiting. Drivers nearby swallowed hard, backing away, some snapping photos of the scene.
At Falcone Manor, Falcone had just hung up from Chief Savage when Liv called.
"Wraith needs a helicopter? No problem," Falcone said, rubbing his chin. "Send someone immediately."
Victor Zsasz, freshly suited, spoke quietly, "Boss, you don't seem happy. Something wrong?"
"Nothing. Just that Savage took matters into his own hands again. Stupid as ever—but that's why I made him chief," Falcone said with a wave.
"Victor, take a helicopter to Kane Bridge and bring Wraith back. He's stuck in Metropolis because of that idiot Savage."
"Father!" Sophia's voice called as she jogged toward them, phone in hand, her tone filled with innocent excitement.
"Guess what I just saw? Metahumans in Smallville!"
"Oh?" Falcone took the phone, watching the video climbing toward thirty-three million views, frowning as he exhaled a cloud of cigar smoke.
"Wraith is trouble, and the League of Assassins… Heh. Even if the dragon hides its head and tail, no knight will respect him again. His path and ours are far apart," Falcone muttered, patting Victor's hand. "Watch this video and remember your attitude when meeting him. He's changed astonishingly."
"Wait—Wraith?" Sophia's eyes lit up. "The survivor in the video is Wraith? Victor's going to see him? Can I go too, Father? I want to see for myself!"
Sophia slipped behind Falcone, massaging his shoulders with skillful hands. Falcone waved her off expressionlessly.
"You're not a child anymore. Go if you want. I can barely stop you now."
He swatted her hand away lightly. Sophia smiled, thanked him, and left with Victor.
Once alone, Falcone gripped his phone tighter, dialing.
"Boss Falcone, this is Maroni. How can I help?"
"Invite Chief Savage out to sea," Falcone said.
There was a pause, then Maroni replied cautiously, "Understood, Boss… but Savage's only been in office seven months?"
"Stupid decision. That's reason enough." Falcone hung up, staring at the ceiling. If Savage had truly acted on his own, it would be perfect. His daughter wouldn't appear so foolish, either. Foolish Sophia, thinking she could manipulate Gotham with childish, simplistic plans from high society—she hadn't understood Axel at all. She planned based on her imagined version of him. How laughably naive.
At the head of Kane Bridge, a bus of rugby cheerleaders was trapped. Axel stood in the inner circle, a cheerleader's arm draped around him, casually enjoying the impromptu performances of the others. The traffic jam would last a while, and the people of Metropolis knew how to entertain themselves.
Above, the thrum of a helicopter approached. The crowd gasped as it hovered over Axel. A fast-rope descended, and Axel watched as Victor Zsasz slid down swiftly, landing and giving Axel a high-five.
From the helicopter came a delicate voice over the noise of the rotors:
"I haven't done this before, Victor—can you catch me?!"
Without waiting for a reply, Sophia dropped. She didn't slow down; she plummeted straight toward Axel.
"Zas, what the hell is that? Is she suicidal?" Axel muttered, leaping aside just in time to avoid being crushed by the falling figure.
____
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