Meeting their smiles, Alfred swallowed hard and looked toward Axel on the bed.
"Master," he called softly.
Axel's snoring did not falter.
Listening to those steady snores, Alfred drew a deep breath and kept the gun aimed at the witch and her brother.
"If you have something to discuss with my master, then you should wait here a little longer. He hates being disturbed while sleeping. Believe me, he truly hates it."
"I understand."
The witch nodded at once.
Then, with a reverent smile, she asked, "Lord's Messenger, is there somewhere in the Lord's castle where my brother and I may rest for a while? We deeply admire the Lord and are willing to follow his rules and wait for him to awaken. But remaining in the Lord's chamber the entire time would be improper."
Alfred hesitated.
Should he really guide two beings who clearly were not ordinary humans into Wayne Manor?
Yet the respect in their eyes seemed genuine.
Besides, Axel had always attracted unusual companions. Barry was chaotic enough, Kara was distant enough, and neither had ever fit the definition of normal.
And with Washington in crisis, even the White House overrun, it was not impossible for figures from the supernatural world to come seeking Axel.
After considering it, Alfred gave a slight nod.
"Follow me. There are guest rooms in the manor, though your brother is too large. He may have to stay in the dining hall."
"Brother, shrink yourself."
The witch turned sharply.
Her brother nodded and reduced his enormous body to the size of an ordinary man.
Alfred narrowed his eyes in surprise, then led them deeper into the manor.
After settling them in a guest room, he even prepared a late night meal.
Meanwhile, outside Washington.
Lex's aircraft hovered over the outskirts of the city.
At the controls, Pierce spoke through the cockpit intercom.
"The storm over Washington is too dangerous. I can't bring the plane in any closer. You'll have to go the rest of the way on foot. But this aircraft carries enough air to ground missiles for support. If you need precision strikes, I can hit targets from outside the city."
"You've done enough, Pierce," Lex replied.
The cabin door opened.
Cold wind rushed through.
Beyond it lay Washington, drowned in darkness.
Bruce stepped to the opening first and spoke over the comms.
"Stick to the plan. Flight team heads directly for the Spire downtown. The four without flight capability move for high ground nearby and support us from there."
He looked at Clark.
"You can't fly, but your strength makes you our shield. Cover the support team. If we need backup, I'll call."
"No problem."
Clark nodded.
Then Selina stepped forward, eyes gleaming.
"Since my husband decided oversleeping was more important than saving Washington, someone has to do the motivating."
She pointed dramatically toward the city.
"All out."
Bruce launched first, his armored suit streaking toward the Spire.
Zatanna followed on a trail of magic.
Before departing, Lex glanced at Clark.
"Protect Selina. I'm not doing Axel a favor only to be cursed out later."
His armor flared to full power and he shot after Bruce.
Clark rested a hand on Floyd and Victor's shoulders.
"Wait a second. I'll land first and secure the area. The Spire interferes with my senses, so I need to scout ahead."
Then he ran toward the open hatch and jumped.
Victor stared.
"No parachute. Incredible. I'm going to become obsolete around you people."
Floyd laughed.
"Then develop a unique skill. Maybe commentary."
With that, he jumped.
Victor and Selina followed.
Moments later, parachutes blossomed in the night.
Far below, Clark hit the ground like a meteor.
Boom.
Earth and debris exploded upward.
Before the dust settled, Clark moved.
Like lightning, he tore through the nearby undead, sending over twenty flying and carving out a landing zone.
He pulled a flare from the tactical suit Lex had provided, ignited it, and waved it skyward.
Seeing the signal, Floyd grinned.
"Clark, you're damn reliable."
"I'd appreciate less profanity."
Clark rolled his eyes.
Selina and Floyd landed cleanly.
Victor, rusty from lack of practice, drifted off course and landed eighty meters away, immediately surrounded by zombies.
Floyd burst out laughing, raising his rifle.
"Victor, that is embarrassing."
Victor drew his blade.
"I'm already learning commentary, isn't that enough?"
He flashed forward and severed several heads.
At the same time, Floyd fired, every bullet punching through a zombie skull.
The horde dropped quickly.
Selina sprinted beside them toward the city center.
"Everything's fine on my side. These three smelly men protecting me is almost touching. I passed a handbag store though, and I was tempted to stop for a limited edition bag I wouldn't have to pay for."
Bruce's irritated voice came through the comms.
"We're a little busy dodging lightning."
High above, thunder erupted around the Spire.
The storm had weakened since their departure, but it still made approach dangerous.
Zatanna twisted through chaotic bolts while glancing at the streets below.
Then she spoke urgently.
"Everyone, don't hold back. These moving corpses are already dead. Their souls are gone. What remains is only cursed energy animating empty bodies."
A lightning strike screamed past her.
She narrowly avoided it, but her trajectory sent her toward a ruined skyscraper.
Just before impact, Lex reacted.
Panels opened along his armor.
Micro missiles launched.
Explosions ripped through the building's facade, blasting open a safe path.
Zatanna flew through the debris, regaining control.
Ahead, the Spire loomed through thunder and darkness.
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