The air was still, heavy with the scent of old sandalwood and green tea. The room, sparsely decorated with traditional Chinese rigor, was a sanctuary of silence and discipline. Only scrolls of calligraphy and a simple orchid on a low table broke the severity of the space.
Seated cross-legged on a tatami mat, a woman embodied this aesthetic to perfection. Her face was one of sculptural, impassive beauty, but her eyes... her black eyes were blades, honed by decades of combat and mastery. She was Lady Shiva, and her very presence was a threat.
Facing her, projected as a hologram, the distorted silhouette of L-1 floated in the gloom.
"So the transaction is concluded," stated the cold, electronic voice of L-1. "The creation of this... private 'fight club' will serve as the perfect lure. It will attract the wealthiest and most corrupt speculators from the shadows, thirsty for bloody spectacles. Their bets will discreetly fund The Light's operations."
An almost imperceptible smile touched Shiva's lips. It was not a smile of joy, but of contempt for the weakness she was about to exploit.
"The money of weak men has always been the best fuel for the projects of the strong," she replied, her voice a low, controlled murmur. "And the lure of the spectacle guarantees their attendance. They will come to see fighters clash, thinking they are watching entertainment. They will not know they are funding the restructuring of the world."
"Their control is assured?" L-1 questioned, pressing the crucial point.
Shiva's smile widened, becoming dangerous.
"Yes. With the aid of the Mad Hatter, our fighters... our guests... will be under perfect control. His neural implants and chemical concoctions guarantee absolute obedience. Their will is but a memory. They will fight, they will battle to the death if we demand it, without any rebellion. Their power will be entirely channeled for our benefit."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle.
"Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Black Canary... and the others. Their bodies and their skills are now assets. Weapons we lease to the highest bidder, while emptying the pockets of those who watch them destroy each other. It is an elegant duplicity."
L-1's hologram was silent for a moment, as if savoring the machination.
"Perfect. The Light is satisfied. You will receive the coordinates of the first arena within twenty-four hours. Ensure the first spectacle is... memorable."
The communication cut off, leaving Shiva alone in the silent room. Her eyes turned towards a window, looking without seeing the city stretching to the horizon. She did not care for The Light's goals. Power, politics... that was the game of small men.
For her, there was only the art. The art of combat. And breaking the spirits of the world's most powerful warriors to turn them into puppets in a fighting ring... that held a beauty of sublime depth. It was the ultimate level of mastery. Not defeating the body, but annihilating the will.
The show was about to begin.