THE DEATH KNELL-Chapter 53: FINALLY MEET

The dark room was full of silence. Except for the two death knells, the other three people looked around suspiciously.

Only the firewood in the fireplace crackled and peeled, the flame still burning, but destined to turn into embers.

"You are right, there is nothing to hide in the dark, even me."

A mature and hoarse female voice sounded. Just before Cindy pointed the gun in the direction, two people suddenly appeared like phantoms, and the golden lightning was slowly fading from her black uniform.

It was Batwoman. She wore a slightly different bat uniform, her blue eyes looking at Slade Wilson from behind the helmet.

As she guessed, this death knell should not be someone from this world. He not only knew her but also Barry—a stranger to him. Yet, he seemed prepared, lacking hostility, and even sounding amused.

Actually, they had just arrived. After rushing to the Indian Mountain Underground Laboratory, they had followed a trail of corpses. When Slade and the others entered the room, they had already been hiding inside.

Just as Slade said, Barry had wrapped the two of them in his speed, running along the walls of the room at such high velocity that they became invisible to the human eye.

However, Slade still found them. Once he considered the possibility, it was easy to deduce the Flash's involvement. After all, in the Metal event, Barry had been responsible for contacting the multiverse reinforcements.

But... the timing didn't add up. Barbatos had not yet assembled the Dark Knights or launched an attack on the Light Multiverse. At this point in the main world, except for Batman, everyone else should be living their daily lives.

It seemed something had gone wrong with the Speed Force.

As a high-dimensional force in the DC Universe, the Speed Force was dangerous. Speedsters could borrow its power, but it could also consume them.

Barry had caused the Flashpoint event, triggering a multiversal reboot. Later, in other events, he disappeared into the Speed Force for over a decade, presumed dead.

His nephew, Wally West, the third Flash, had also been trapped in the Speed Force for years.

Almost every villain who tried to wield its power had been destroyed by it.

Generations of Flashes had used abilities they barely understood to become heroes. The Allen family never seemed to consider the risks—even when it meant sacrificing themselves for the greater good.

In the realm of bullet time, when Slade mentioned ways to counter speedsters, Barry hesitated. The Deathstroke of the main world had indeed defeated speedsters before. Slade, as another Deathstroke, could replicate that strategy.

But Barry lacked Wally's ability to accelerate cellular regeneration. The Speed Force granted different abilities randomly, meaning taking a hit from Slade's blade wouldn't be so easy to heal from.

Even though Deathstroke appeared slow, he was incredibly fast when necessary—especially with a knife.

Batwoman noticed Barry's hesitation.

"What he said is true?"

"Yes. If it's our Deathstroke, I know he has defeated speedsters before... But there are civilians here. I'm not sure I can protect them while facing the Deathstroke and explosives."

"Then let's go with Plan B."

---

Slade was also observing Batwoman. She felt even more dangerous than Batman in the main world. She had a darker temperament—fierce and ruthless.

Batman in the prime universe avoided political struggles, but Briss actively involved herself in wars between Amazons and Atlanteans.

The Dark Multiverse had deeply affected her.

Yet Earth -11 could still be saved. Unlike the other Dark Knights, whose worlds had become cosmic forges, her Earth had survived—albeit lifeless. Given time, it might evolve new creatures.

This gave Slade confidence. As long as they remained hidden and avoided attracting Barbatos' attention, they could operate undisturbed.

"Batwoman, you made it difficult for us to find you. But since Barry is with you, I don't need to explain much, do I?" Slade pushed a glass of wine toward her, signaling her to sit. He adjusted his plan. "Barry, can you head downstairs and grab an old gang leader? He's planning to blow up Gotham."

"Oh... We've never met, but we'll discuss that later. Uh... How do you know me?"

Barry made a confused face at Slade but instantly found the underground entrance, dashing down and returning within moments. He dragged up Black Mask, Sophia Falcone, and Gordon.

He recognized Gordon and set him on the sofa, while the Falcone father and daughter, unconscious, were dumped onto the floor. Feathers from the torn pillow scattered over them, making them look like a pair of gangsters turned poultry.

Poor Gotham villains. They might do well against ordinary Batwoman, but against actual metahumans? They were hopeless.

DC's power scaling had always been strange. Barry's enemies were speedsters, Wonder Woman faced mythical creatures, Green Lantern battled aliens, and Batman fought... mentally ill criminals.

If the Justice League ever swapped villains, most battles would be over in seconds.

"Dad!"

Barbara wheeled herself toward Gordon, who looked stunned. He clutched her hand as if afraid she might vanish.

"You... Barbara, are you okay? You're alive?"

"Yes, Dad. Deathstroke helped me." Barbara sobbed, hugging him tightly.

"Thank God... Thank God..." Gordon cried, holding her close. "I thought I lost you. I don't know what I would do without you."

Batwoman sat on the sofa, ignoring the wine and tea. She studied the two Deathstrokes sitting across from her, deep in thought.

This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.

She addressed Gordon without looking away from Slade. "If you had analyzed the crime scene properly, you'd have noticed the bullet trajectory was off. No blood splatter."

"Batwoman..." Gordon's expression was complicated. He hadn't wanted her to return—her presence invited danger. But he couldn't deny his relief at seeing her alive.

Cindy smirked, tapping her armored leg with a knife. "Director Gordon, we saved Barbara. We saved you. So maybe show a little gratitude, huh?"

Gordon's face twisted with conflicting emotions. The Deathstroke had always been Gotham's enemy, yet now... he wasn't so sure.

"The cost of saving Director Gordon—I'll handle it," Batwoman interjected, crossing her fingers in front of her face. "Gold or cash—you choose. Now, tell me: Who are you? And what exactly do you know?"

Slade chuckled and turned to Vic Vale, who was practically vibrating with excitement. To her, this felt like Christmas.

"Now that Director Gordon is safe, I assume he'd like to make a public statement on Gotham's security situation," Slade said. "Barbara can join the interview. My request to your network? Consider it canceled."

Vic handed the camera to Pete, grabbed her microphone, and led Gordon and Barbara outside. She knew Slade had things to discuss privately.

Still, she whispered as she left, "Don't forget my reward."

Slade looked at Cindy. Cindy smirked and nodded. A TV director? That was an easy fix. She'd take care of it later.

Visit patreon.com/Purhitee