Three years after the formation of the Justice League and the Avengers... the world was watching the skies, blind to what stirred beneath their feet.
"Once before, someone asked me to tell them my story. I asked where should I start? They asked me, 'Well, Mr. Crowe, where did it all start?'. For the first time in a long time, I was lost for words. Not because of the level of the question, it was rather rudimentary. I just didn't know how to answer. I'd never thought about my honest answer. So, I began to think, where did it all start?" I said to an unknown listener.
UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF TIME AGO
The room was dark, circular, and impossibly silent — the kind of silence that didn't wait for you to speak, it dared you to. In the center stood a man, tall and calm. His eyes, twin voids of calculation, reflected no light. The Council — robed, faceless, ancient beings of immense power — surrounded him like vultures circling something that refused to die.
He was offered five wishes.
Not magic. Not lies. Terms. Power, paid in full by action, consequence, and blood. He was given 100 days of silence to think of the wishes.
When given the chance? He spoke each wish without hesitation.
"I wish to evolve past the limits of perfection. To adapt infinitely, unbound by law, logic, or nature."
"I wish for a family—not of blood, but of loyalty. Each stronger than the last, each born for dominion."
"I wish for a name. One that will be spoken in reverence, fear, and awe: Crowe."
"I wish to be forgotten for two years… so I can build in silence while the world prepares to burn."
"And finally… I wish for a war worth winning."
The Council fell silent. And then, one by one, they smiled. Crooked, jagged teeth that extended, row by row, met the air in the room courageously as every member of The Council smiled with glee.
That man in the middle of the room? He kept up appearances as best as he could, but he was scared shitless deep down inside. How do I know this? Because I'm that man in the middle of the room.
And by God, were these things scary. Hm? How did I get here? Well, it starts off pretty dumb, but don't judge me.
101 Days Ago
I was scrolling on IG stories at 3 AM, just got done cackling to reels while rubbing my feet together under the covers. Stories were how I winded down.
I swiped over another useless story from someone I didn't even remember following but kept following them because I didn't want to be the first to unfollow, y'know typical night. Then, when I swiped over, everything changed.
An AD came up that claimed five wishes in exchange for my soul…I immediately took the opportunity. I mean can you blame me? It's a pretty lucrative offer for a soul as degenerated as mine.
Flashback End
'Now, I'm back here. Great.' I thought to myself before being immediately thrown off guard by a member of the freak council lunged at me.
"I TOLD DIDDY NO!" I screamed in desperation as I tried to jump away, but instead, its hand went through my chest where my heart would usually be as I felt it rip something out of my chest.
I opened up my mouth as I tried to scream but no voice came out, maybe because of the loss of what was ripped out of my chest, maybe the pain from another four hands ripping something out of my body from my limbs, who knows. All I know is I wanted it over. Then, I wanted them dead.
"Listen, boy, The Council does not repeat themselves." all of the Freak Meisters said at the same time. Yes, I refused to call them by their official name after what they'd done to me. I don't even want to hear the word "Council" after today, until I kill them.
"You will be sent to a world much like yours, but much different depending on who you are. Your wishes will be granted in a way we deem fit. However, your soul belongs to us and with that we get the luxury of asking you for a favor before you're fully set free in the hell you've made for yourself. We need you to take over the universe we place you in. After doing so, you will be allowed to travel the multiverse and will be free of our control." they said simultaneously, voices echoing off the inside of my skull like Captain America's shield in an elevator.
"Do you understand, Boy?" the Diddy Disciples said in unison as my attempt at defiance through silence was met with a soul shaking aura pressing down upon me. If they had eyes I'm sure they'd have squinted right then.
"Yes, your Freakesty." I said while clenching whatever jaw I had left in whatever form I was in right now.
They ignored my obvious attempt at patronizing them for revenge before waving their hand as I slowly disappeared from the Freak Room.
"Enjoy your Hell, you asked for it." they said with that same grin from earlier as I slowly slipped away. Consciousness fading with the seconds as they passed. Perception darkened as the land of living became a foreign destination, further and further away. Then, a flash of light. That's what it was. A flash of light. It all started with light, and with the light was the word, and with the word was Me.
It all started with me, my word, and the light I shined down on a world desperate to escape darkness. I am the one who places down the blueprint of worlds. I build ruin, and I build fortune. Anarchy and Utopia. I am the one who puts the knocker and opener of the door in place. I don't stand in the shadows but I never step in the light. I am an enigma and an open book simultaneously. The Eminence and The Figure Head. I am The Architect. And it all, began, with me.
"That's pretty narcissistic of you." I heard from my side, as I turned to the pale faced man who stared me down with a scowl. It was cute to watch him cling so dearly to his ideals.
"Oh, you know me, Bats. Just giving credit where it's due. Even if it's to me. At attention." I said before turning back to my front as I heard 11 knees hit the ground behind me. All 11 of my closest allies. The ones who'd brought the wingless Bat next to me into my hands.
"Watch, as I burn the world as you know it, and create something far much greater." I said as I snapped my fingers, before the world faded to darkness. Then, suddenly, a flash of light that blinded all of creation on Earth.
"One blueprint at a time."