"Why do you need my help? Can't you find it on your own? From what I've observed, your senses seem extraordinary," Bruce asked without taking his eyes off the Batcomputer.
Satellite imagery and sensor data continued scrolling across the monitors as he refined the search parameters.
Daniel stood near the edge of the Batcave.
"Everything has limits, Bruce. If the Mother Box were active, I would've found it already. It's dormant. My senses can cover a city, but not an entire planet. Without an energy signature, there's nothing for me to track."
"It seems even you have limits."
"I never said I didn't."
Bruce's fingers kept moving across the keyboard.
"Good."
Daniel looked at him. Bruce finally spoke without looking away from the screen. "People who believe they don't have limits are usually the ones who become dangerous."
Daniel didn't reply. Instead he wandered around the Batcave until several files on a nearby table caught his attention.
He picked one up and found Superman's profile inside. Beneath it were files on Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, and several others.
"Don't you think you're invading their privacy?"
Bruce didn't bother turning around. "If you're talking about privacy, then don't use modern technology. Every phone, computer, satellite, and online service collects data. Even I collect data."
"So you're admitting it."
Bruce turned his chair toward him. "If I wanted to keep those files secret, they wouldn't be lying on that table."
"I'm not following."
He stood up and walked over.
"The world is changing faster than governments can adapt. Metahumans, aliens, ancient civilizations, unexplained events appearing one after another. Governments respond after disasters happen. I prefer to prepare before they happen." He looked at the files in Daniel's hands.
"I'm identifying individuals who not only possess extraordinary abilities but also have a history of protecting people. If another global crisis occurs, knowing who can be trusted is essential."
Daniel looked at him for a few seconds. Then it clicked. "So you're putting together a team."
"If the situation ever demands one."
"Good idea."
"Does that mean you're willing to join?"
Daniel shook his head. "No. I don't work well as part of a team. But if the world's ending, you can call me."
"That's more than enough."
Daniel placed the files back. "So, have you thought of a name for this team?"
"I've considered a few." Bruce folded his arms. "None of them sounded right."
"How about... Justice League?"
Bruce repeated it silently. "Justice League." After a brief pause he nodded. "It fits."
Daniel set the file down and turned toward the exit. "Well, Batman, contact me when you find anything."
"I will."
He stopped after a few steps. "If my phone isn't reachable, call Superman. You already have his number. He'll know how to find me."
Bruce acknowledged it with a nod.
Daniel walked out of the Batcave. A moment later he shot into the sky.
Halfway through the flight he suddenly remembered something. "The fragment." He had completely forgotten to retrieve the System Fragment hidden within Atlan's Trident.
He immediately changed direction, a black streak crossing the sky at tremendous speed, heading toward the Atlantic.
***
Meanwhile, beneath the ocean, the final battle had already begun.
Arthur emerged from the waterfall wielding the Trident of Atlan. Its golden light spread across the Hidden Sea as Karathen lowered her enormous head before him, acknowledging him as the true King of Atlantis.
Arthur didn't hesitate. Riding on Karathen's back, he led the creatures of the Hidden Sea toward Atlantis.
Above them, Orm's army had already engaged the forces loyal to King Nereus and the Brine Kingdom. Warships exchanged volleys. Atlantean soldiers clashed with tridents and blades.
Sea creatures collided in massive formations as the ocean itself became a battlefield.
Then the water behind Orm's army erupted. Karathen burst into the battlefield with Arthur standing atop her, holding the Trident of Atlan.
For a brief moment, every soldier on both sides stopped fighting. The legendary Trident had returned. Even Orm's expression changed — for a moment he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Arthur stood atop Karathen with the Trident held firmly in his hand as the ancient leviathan floated behind him, her enormous body dwarfing every warship on the battlefield.
Murmurs spread through both armies. "The Trident..." "The King's Trident..." "It's real..."
Orm tightened his grip around his own trident. "You think carrying that weapon makes you king?"
"No." Arthur met his brother's gaze. "It just proves what I've been trying to tell you. I'm here to stop this."
"The throne belongs to me!"
Without another word, Orm launched himself forward. Arthur met the charge. Their tridents collided with a deafening crack that sent a shockwave through the surrounding water.
Orm immediately followed with a thrust toward Arthur's ribs. Arthur twisted aside, letting the attack slide past before driving the butt of Atlan's Trident into his chest.
Orm staggered back but recovered almost instantly, spinning his weapon in a wide arc aimed at Arthur's head. Arthur ducked beneath the strike and countered with a sweeping slash. Orm blocked it, but the impact forced him back several meters.
Around them, the battle resumed. Orm's soldiers charged once more while Nereus's forces pushed forward to meet them.
The Brine Kingdom joined the assault, and sea creatures crashed into one another as the battlefield descended into chaos again.
*****
A/N: If you'd like to read ahead of the Webnovel release schedule, you can join my Patreon!
The Patreon version is 30 chapters ahead.
👉 patreon.com/Universal_Peace