Batwoman Under Siege

Gotham’s eastern port.

It had long since shut down after the Parademons’ massive assault. Once regarded by countless gangs as a cash cow, Gotham Harbor was now nothing but ruins. Countless cargo ships and cruise liners lay rusting at the docks, giving off the stench of decay.

After Black Mask and his gang members failed to hold the port, the last human stronghold in eastern Gotham also fell under the Parademons’ attack. Blood flooded half the district and flowed into the sea, while all of Gotham was shrouded in fear.

Even now, the area remained a no-man’s-land, clearly a forbidden zone for humans, without the slightest trace of life.

But at that moment, the deathly silence was suddenly broken by a set of footsteps.

Between shattered docks and shipping containers, a nimble black silhouette flashed past. Her feet lightly stepped into a depression, sending water splashing in every direction.

The perfectly still puddles on the road reflected the moonlight. Beneath the pale glow, countless winged creatures, like demons, swept through the air overhead with a faint buzzing roar.

"Barbara, can you keep up?"

With one hand braced against a platform, the agile figure flipped over a pile of rebar, turned, and slipped into a pitch-black alley under cover of night.

(I’ve already located you, but Kate, where are you taking them?)

An anxious female voice came through the earpiece. Batwoman’s eyes flickered as she leaped again, using the wall for leverage to climb to the second floor.

(There are too many of them. You’re backing yourself into a dead end.)

"They’re just ordinary Parademons. It’s not a dead end yet." Batwoman smiled faintly and casually tossed a Batarang bomb through a second-floor window.

The next moment, a hideous monster appeared at the window. It had a humanoid body, but its face resembled that of an orc, like some nightmare creature made real.

The monster roared at Batwoman’s fleeting silhouette, then tore apart the windowsill and prepared to charge inside after her.

But the instant half its body came through, the Batarang’s infrared sensor immediately detected it. A violent boom erupted, and terrifying flames burst forth, swallowing the Parademon whole.

Batwoman hadn’t expected the Parademon to be on her heels so closely. Before she could even get clear of the blast radius, a massive force struck from behind, throwing her off balance and hurling her away.

Hearing the explosion, Barbara’s anxious voice came through the earpiece again.

(Kate! Are you okay? Kate!)

Batwoman crashed into a pile of shattered glass, shook her head, and rolled to her feet. "I’m not dead. Quit screaming."

(I’ll be there soon. Just hang on a little longer.)

"Then you’d better hurry, because I’m about to kill them all." Kate forced a smile. Listening to the growing buzz, she knew the Parademons were charging at her again.

Parademons were mindless biological weapons that obeyed only their creator, Darkseid. Like locusts, they devoured civilizations throughout the universe. Though individual units were not especially powerful, they were still far beyond what ordinary humans could fight.

Their numbers were the most terrifying part. These monsters that could fly and burrow struck in overwhelming swarms every time, and ordinary civilizations simply could not withstand their ravaging.

After sprinting all the way into a bedroom, Batwoman was about to burst out through the balcony and escape the encirclement when she suddenly spotted a loathsome head outside the window.

Aaaah!

The Parademon opened its mouth, saliva dripping from its jagged teeth. Its crimson eyes fixed on Batwoman in the room with murderous intent, as if she were some exquisite delicacy.

"Fine."

Batwoman gripped her Batarang tightly, ready to fight.

"Time to get serious."

With an angry roar, the Parademon could no longer restrain its bloodthirsty urge. It thrust out its claws, tore apart the railing on the windowsill, and prepared to rush in and rip Batwoman to shreds.

But it took only one step before it could not advance another inch.

It was as if some force were pulling it from behind. The Parademon thrashed wildly, its arms repeatedly reaching for Batwoman, who was so close.

But no matter how violently it struggled, it was useless. It remained stuck at the windowsill.

"What?"

Batwoman tilted her head, unable to make sense of what was happening.

The next second, the Parademon in front of her was yanked away by an immense force, sent flying backward at horrifying speed. In the blink of an eye, it vanished from the window, leaving behind only a huge gap and a complete mess.

Listening to the Parademon’s cries grow farther away, Batwoman frowned and quickly stepped to the window. Looking down beneath the moonlight, she took in the entire street at a glance.

Between the ruined high-rises of the residential district, a strange black figure moved with an agility no ordinary person could achieve. Something in its hands shot out like spider silk, binding all the Parademons to the ground.

".What the hell?"

Batwoman’s lips parted slightly as she stared intently at the unfamiliar black figure.

She realized that whoever it was, they were definitely no ordinary person. Even watching that terrifying strength made her teeth ache. Those ordinary Parademons were not even worthy opponents.

Just then, the sound of debris being tossed aside came from behind her, and Batwoman instinctively sensed danger.

She turned around and saw that the Parademon swallowed by the explosion was somehow still alive. It had clung to life long enough to charge over here.

Facing the hideous monster covered in burn scars, Batwoman immediately prepared to engage it. But while she was fast, someone else was faster.

A gale swept in. Batwoman saw only a silver blur flash past. Before anyone could react, the roaring Parademon was blasted away, smashing through the bedroom wall and collapsing lifelessly amid the ruins of the living room.

"Didn’t you notice?"

A flippant voice sounded behind her. Batwoman turned back again and saw only a silver-haired man in goggles wink at her before speeding away and vanishing off the balcony.

Batwoman opened her mouth, completely bewildered. She was certain this speedster was not part of the Flash Family, because Batman’s files listed nearly every speedster in the family of speedsters second only to a certain Kryptonian in terms of threat.

Besides, this guy was nowhere near as fast as The Flash. At the very least, her dynamic vision had vaguely caught him punching the Parademon away.

(Kate, how are you? I think I heard a man talking?)

Barbara’s voice brought Batwoman back to her senses. She let out a breath and looked at the Parademon squad being slaughtered outside before speaking slowly.

"You heard right. Looks like Gotham has some new friends."