While most of the world slept, the tides of global politics shifted violently. Jacob, now more than a shadow in Gotham, had become a phantom stalking the halls of power worldwide. His war on supervillainy was only the beginning. With major underworld elements either crushed or subdued, he now set his focus on the one pillar that still upheld global disorder: corrupt governments.
He began with small nations—developing countries historically manipulated by economic superpowers. Jacob's network provided infrastructure, security, and intelligence. In return, their governments turned a blind eye to his movements and gave him operational freedom. These micro-alliances became proof of concept.
That proof alarmed the world.
In high-rise towers of New York, in the diplomatic chambers of Geneva, and in the echoing halls of Washington D.C., panic brewed. First-world nations—particularly those with deeply entrenched corruption—realized that Jacob was cutting through their puppets with surgical precision. Their influence waned. Their agents vanished. Leaks of their black budgets and secret dealings surfaced mysteriously in the press.
To retaliate, they struck back diplomatically, sanctioning any nation that collaborated with Jacob's growing regime. Financial institutions froze assets. UN ambassadors whispered accusations. A global manhunt was discussed in quiet backrooms.
The United Nations issued a non-binding resolution labeling Jacob a transnational security threat. The United States, the European Coalition, and select G7 members pooled together a staggering $15 billion bounty for Jacob—alive or dead.
But Jacob already knew.
He had surveillance running tighter than any intelligence agency. His cyber operatives infiltrated their networks days before the resolution was drafted. He watched it all unfold with a calm amusement.
In the depths of his command center, Jacob smirked. "They still think I'm reacting."
The Justice League, though fractured in their opinions of Jacob, found themselves called into conflict once again. Some members, like Superman and Wonder Woman, attempted to open dialogue. Others, like Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter, pushed for containment. Batman, as always, watched.
But something else stirred.
In the deepest chamber of the Light's conclave, ancient voices whispered.
Vandal Savage sat with arms crossed as the room filled with tension. The Council of the Light—Lex Luthor, Ra's al Ghul, Queen Bee, Ocean Master, Klarion, and others—gathered in the shadows.
Lex Luthor stood first. "He's doing what we spent decades planning. Faster. Cleaner. With precision we only theorized."
Queen Bee narrowed her eyes. "Even with all my gifts of persuasion, he shields his people with an impenetrable mental discipline. They don't speak. They don't flinch."
Ra's al Ghul, ever the traditionalist, acknowledged the shift. "His mind is a weapon. His heart is steel. His cause is more focused than even mine."
Klarion cackled, but even his chaos magic couldn't decode Jacob's infrastructure. "He's so boring, it's dangerous."
Then, for the first time in decades, Lex Luthor looked toward Vandal Savage. "It's time," Lex said quietly. "Time to pass the lead."
Vandal said nothing for a moment. Then, slowly, he stood. "Let the world see the future," he said, nodding once. "Jacob is now the head of the Light."
It was an unprecedented move.
Jacob didn't ask for their loyalty.
He earned it by conquering the very ambition that gave birth to the Light: domination of chaos through control and fear.
---
Elsewhere: In a Shrouded Conference Room
Jacob stood before a secure holo-table surrounded by his inner circle. Slade Wilson crossed his arms. A few elite tacticians stood nearby, all silent.
Jacob's voice broke the stillness.
"They've declared war. Fifteen billion. That's the price they think I'm worth."
One of his lieutenants asked, "Do we retaliate?"
Jacob shook his head. "We accelerate."
He activated a schematic. On it were seven more small nations—ready to fall into alignment.
"The world won't be saved by gods or governments," he said. "It will be rebuilt by force, intellect, and precision. And when the old world burns down—"
He looked up, eyes burning with certainty.
"—we'll be the ones who write the laws of the new