Broken(DC)

Destroying all the bosses doesn't mean that crime will be eradicated. Yes, it will weaken them significantly, but there will always be those who want to take their place. I won't stop until the entire network of arms dealers, drug traffickers, and human traffickers is completely destroyed.

Almost everyone had information about me, and now everyone must understand that Lame is no more. His business, his influenceeverything has been annihilated. Only then was I able to cast off the chains of crime. Sure, the Feds and the cops will still try to pin something on me, but there will be nothing left for them to use against me.

After a brief stop at the base, I put on gear resembling Firefly's equipment. I couldn't let anyone see my abilities. As far as the world would know, this was just two pyromaniacs burning down multiple facilities in one night including my own money-laundering front. I had to strike a deal with the Nameless One to spread the word to anyone who cared to know: the Cripple has lost everything, and he's got nothing left. In exchange, he demanded a favor that I'd have to fulfill anytime, anywhere, at his request.

Arriving at the meeting place for the criminal syndicates, we waited for everyone to show up. Green Arrow had forced them out of their comfort zones, making them act. They were afraid of losing their power, finances, and influence. Now, they wanted to negotiate among themselves, to stop squabbling over territories, and to join forces against the masked hero.

At first, they thought they could kill him quickly, but Green Arrow always managed to avoid death, and more and more of them ended up behind bars.

Watching through binoculars from one of the rooftops, I carefully observed the arrivals to ensure all the key players were present.

"I know exactly how this world works. Your actions are pointless, and the result will be the same as always," said Firefly, standing next to me.

"Your opinion doesn't concern me," I replied. Though he obeyed me, he still hated me for his suffering, and his mind had long been twisted.

"How much longer will I have to follow your childish orders?" he asked.

"As long as it takes. I spared your life, healed you, and don't forget how much harm you've caused people," I said.

"No less than you," Firefly retorted. For a moment, flames flickered in my eyes, and he immediately averted his gaze, afraid to meet mine.

"I know my hands are stained with blood, and there will be no forgiveness for what I've done. What I'm doing now it's not heroism. It's madness," I replied. So many lives had been lost because of my orders. That's why I craved to escape it all. And this this is the only way to put an end to this life.

There was a way to disappear, to change my identity and blend into the crowd, but I refused to live behind a mask, fearing that my real name would surface. One thing remained constant: all these people gathered here would continue destroying Star City, tearing it apart piece by piece.

"It's time," I said. Jetpacks on our backs ignited, propelling us into the air.

I burst through the second floor, where the meeting was being held, while Firefly stayed behind to secure the perimeter.

Dozens of people stared at me in horror. I pressed the button, and a torrent of flames erupted. I saw their fear and the fire reflected in their eyes.

Everything went up in flames within seconds, and the air filled with screams of pain, rage, and curses.

"AAAAAH! Help!"

"Who the hell are you, scum?"

"You're going to die!"

"No, please, don't kill me!"

Emotions surged within me, and my hands began to tremble. I hadn't expected to be consumed by the terror I was inflicting. I heard their pleas, and they made me suffer. My finger, frozen on the trigger, began to shake and slowly lift. The moment this weakness surfaced, my mind turned cold, detached from emotion. I could see the crimes they had committed and feel the same pain they had inflicted on others. They had to pay for it all.

A dead, lifeless glare took over the slits of my protective mask, and fire flickered within them. Tightening my grip on the trigger, I unleashed the inferno into the room, finishing everyone inside.

The corridor door burst open, and armed thugs appeared, immediately opening fire on me. Their bullets did no harm. In response, a stream of fire reduced their bodies to ash.

I moved through the corridors, crushing all resistance. They tried to kill me in every way they could grenades, heavy weaponry but it was futile. Any damage that breached the suit was quickly regenerated.

The fire consumed the building, and there was no reason to stay inside any longer. I stepped outside to find a blaze just as massive raging there. Cars were wrecked, charred bodies littered the ground, and Firefly was waiting for me.

"We're done," I said. The cartel mission had taken less than ten minutes, though it felt like hours.

The cold, calculating mindset faded, giving way to emotions screaming about the wrongness of my actions. The deed was done; nothing else mattered now.

"Should I head to the other targets?" Firefly asked.

"Yes, clear the rest, but don't kill anyone. Just destroy the facilities," I ordered. He nodded and took off into the sky. Watching the fading trail of his jetpack's exhaust, I activated my own engines and ascended.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An arrow flew straight toward him, aimed at his back. But he noticed it just in time, twisting midair and catching it.

"Green Arrow," I said, my voice slightly altered. Heroes descended from one of the rooftops, rappelling down on cables.

"I must be getting famous. Now, put your hands behind your head and get on the ground," he said, his bow drawn and ready.

"Do you think an arrow is stronger than fire?" I asked out of curiosity. What was he hoping for by showing up? He couldn't possibly ignore the danger of my weaponry surely, he'd seen the destruction I left in my wake.

"My bow hasn't failed me yet. I see you're not planning to surrender, so blame yourself for what happens next," he said, releasing three arrows in almost no time at all. His movements were quick, and the arrows flew one after another in rapid succession.

I easily dodged left, letting one arrow pass over my shoulder, and caught the other two mid-flight, snapping them in my hands. I caught a glimpse of surprise on his face, impressed by the abilities I had demonstrated. But he recovered quickly, wasting no time as he drew and fired several more arrows.

I intended to catch them all, but I noticed something different about the design of these arrows. Instead, I briefly activated my rocket propulsion, darting to the side.

A series of explosions erupted behind me explosive arrows.

I aimed my flamethrower at him and unleashed a stream of fire. He reacted almost instantly, rolling several times and taking cover. Through the blaze, I saw several projectiles shoot skyward before a sudden flash blinded my view.

How many types of arrows does he have?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My instincts warned me that somehow, arrows were flying at me from behind. Cutting off the stream of flames, I managed to dodge. Almost immediately, Green Arrow leapt out from cover. Ascending high into the air, he unleashed a volley of arrows.

I didn't want to kill him. Even with the flamethrower aimed at him, I made sure to give him time to react and evade.

Activating my jet propulsion, I took to the air, raining fire in his wake. He ran and dodged, occasionally firing back at me.

His skills were exceptional, and anyone else in my place would have lost this fight at the very beginning. But my sixth sense always alerted me to his tricks.

Suddenly, the flamethrower sputtered and died. Glancing at the gauge, I saw the fuel tank was empty. Green Arrow noticed this immediately, seizing the opportunity to act. With near-superhuman speed and agility, he fired several shots in various directions and several directly at me.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I dodged all his projectiles. Though my armor could withstand hits, I didn't want to test what other kinds of arrows he might have. I couldn't afford to reveal my regeneration or any of my other abilities.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ducking beneath another arrow that whizzed over my head, I thought I'd avoided the danger. But my instincts told me otherwise, and the reckoning came almost instantly.

An explosion tore through the air above me, damaging my propulsion system and causing it to malfunction. The mechanism sputtered erratically, and I spiraled out of control.

I struggled to stabilize, but it was futile. Losing altitude, I crashed into the ground, tumbling several times. My arm twisted in an unnatural direction, and sharp pain coursed through me.

But regeneration kicked in swiftly, setting my body right. Within seconds, I was on my feet again.

"Damn, are you even human?" Green Arrow exclaimed, astonished as he watched me reset my dislocated arm.

Why hadn't he fired while I was vulnerable? Scanning him, I realized the quiver on his back was empty.

I'd wasted too much time on him, and now I'd have to make my way back on foot. I should've just flown away… Good ideas always come too late, don't they?

Tossing aside the cumbersome flamethrower, I started toward him, fists clenched.

"Well, let's dance," he said, though he didn't lower his bow as he moved closer.

My punch was fast, but Green Arrow reacted instantly, landing several blows to my torso. My second swing from the left was blocked, and he struck me repeatedly on the helmet. His combat skills far outclassed mine. I tried to hit him, but I lacked the speed and precision to counter his attacks effectively. He kicked me hard in the chest, sending me stumbling back.

"You fight like an old man," Green Arrow sneered.

I needed to improve my fighting skills, but now wasn't the time for reflection. The sound of approaching police sirens grew louder, and I couldn't stay here much longer. I didn't want to injure anyone further or flee from another chase.

My heart pounded harder. Yes, I was worse in hand-to-hand combat, but I had my sixth sense and the ability to predict his strikes. Without further hesitation, I charged at him again, pushing my body to its limits.

A straight punch blocked but immediately followed by a kick to his side, forcing him to retreat. I threw a flurry of quick jabs, then a sudden hook that he barely managed to block. When he tried to counterattack, I dodged by slipping to the left and drove my elbow into his chest. He coughed, but quickly recovered and retaliated with a flurry of swift strikes.

I rained blows on him whenever he tried to attack, disregarding his strikes. My punches that connected to his body caused visible pain, his face contorting each time. Then, he tried to create distance with his bow, but I saw the moment coming. Grabbing the strap of his quiver, I yanked him toward me and delivered a punch to his face. He instantly lost consciousness, slumping against my arm.

The police were closing in, and I couldn't let them uncover the identity of the hero. Green Arrow lay unconscious at my feet, and I quickly hoisted him onto my shoulder. My superhuman physique allowed me to run at incredible speed. Within minutes, I was several kilometers away from the scene.

I placed the unconscious hero in a secluded spot and headed back to my base.

When I returned, I finally allowed myself to breathe. I could put this chapter behind me. I had done terrible things, but now it was time to atone for my sins by helping others. My medical company would be the tool of my redemption. I resolved to dedicate myself to research and finding cures for diseases. With my restored mental faculties, I could finally make it happen.

While I inspected my damaged suit, I heard footsteps it was Firefly returning.

"Any problems?" he asked.

"Green Arrow knows how to surprise," I replied, recalling that shot. It was as if he had known I could predict the trajectories of his arrows and deliberately crafted a way to deceive my senses, choosing multiple directions before suddenly striking and damaging my jet propulsion system.

"What now?" Firefly asked, keeping his distance. Now that I'd dealt with the criminal underworld, he was no longer necessary. He probably thought I planned to kill him.

"You still haven't atoned for your sins, and you will need to," I said.

"Then what do I need to do?" he asked.

"You'll find out soon enough," I said, looking him directly in the eyes.

Star City, though plagued by crime, was still not the most dangerous city. There were many other states riddled with even greater criminal activity. Gotham, my hometown, had become inseparable from lawlessness; breaking the law had become a way of life for all its residents. It's impossible to simply destroy everything you must work more subtly, repairing the very people who had grown up knowing nothing but chaos and crime.

There is a particular circle of individuals behind it all. I still don't know exactly who they are, but Nameless had only hinted at their existence, demanding an exorbitant price for precise information. These are the people who control everything in the city, steering its course to suit their purposes.

There is much work left to do.

Author's Afterword

Demons have the ability to see souls and manipulate them. Since he possesses the powers of the Lord of Flames, working with souls is one of his latent abilities. He could see the vices of people, and as he delved deeper into this, his ability to manipulate souls began to show him the sins committed by others. He has yet to gain full control over it.