Needless to say, this enormous black shadow was the darkened version of Hawkman, Carter.
He was likely the first person from the Main World to be captured by Barbatos. He fell into a prolonged nightmare, but instead of aging, the dark energy inflated him like a balloon into an immense size, while also reflecting avian traits on his body.
He has been transformed into a Giant Divine Soldier for Barbatos.
The original Hawkman donned avian armor, dressing himself in the guise of an eagle. At this moment, the dark power transformed him into an enormous, pitch-black eagle-headed figure.
The few people standing on the ground weren't even as high as his instep, and the muscles bulging on his body were as sharply defined as rocks.
His eyes emitted a black light, showing no signs of rationality. In the endless nightmare, he had been thoroughly tormented by Barbatos into losing consciousness, like a puppet, with madness being all that was left.
"All roads shall lead to darkness! All things shall hail the return of Barbatos!"
He shrieked with a voice like a bird's, and the terrifying sonic waves sent gusts of air that messed up the capes and hair of the others, especially Diana, whose hair immediately turned into a tangled mess, like she was sporting a bird's nest.
Su Ming almost laughed at this, but Barry already did.
The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with pride at their foresight. Indeed, having helmet protection and no capes proved to be a blessing; the other three looked rather bedraggled now.
The Dark Hawkman didn't give them a chance to tidy themselves. He lifted the giant iron hammer in his hand high, bringing it down like a mountain.
That giant hammer had once been used by the World Forger to craft endless worlds. It looked like a handle was inserted into a four-story building, and even before the hammer hit the ground, the fierce wind made everyone feel the pressure.
With a flash of electric light, Barry carried Diana and Su Ming away to dodge, while Superman flew with Batman in another direction.
"Boom!!!"
The hammer hit the ground heavily, causing the earth to shake and rocks to fly. A gigantic pit appeared where they previously stood.
Hawkman shook his hammer and lifted it from the ground, revealing the red-hot magma beneath.
Without needing Batman's direction, Superman knew what to do. He released Bruce, then flew high into the sky, with his red S-cape drawing a beautiful trajectory in the air.
He struck Hawkman's chin with a punch, forcing the massive enemy to take a few steps back, each step landing like an earthquake.
The spectacle was visually bizarre, like a butterfly beating its wings and forcing an elephant back.
However, rationally, it was clear Superman hadn't used his full strength. Hawkman was an acquaintance of the Justice League, and Superman just gave him a light blow.
Such a hit wouldn't even knock out the regular Hawkman, let alone in this enlarged state.
Superman's performance in the comics was most powerful during the Silver Age, from the 1950s to the 1970s. At that time, he could reverse time with speed alone, and extinguish the sun with a breath.
However, as time went on, the invincible storyline wore thin, and editors gave Superman many weaknesses, and his own power level kept decreasing.
This was inevitable, as teamwork among superheroes was trending; if Superman weren't weakened, what would be the point of the Justice League's existence?
It would even render the existence of all superheroes on Earth unnecessary.
So now in front of Su Ming was the reborn Superman after the N52, still strong, but far from reaching his past peak.
Many times, because of holding back or shutting down his intelligence at critical moments, his performance in battles was just average.
The current scene was similar; the few had equipment made of X Metal, if Superman went all out, Hawkman's head would've been smashed, leaving no next step.
Su Ming sighed and reached for his Great Sword.
"Don't move, Carter must survive."
Batman immediately stopped him. He had been wary of Deathstroke, and now, noticing Deathstroke reaching for a weapon and eyeing Hawkman eagerly, he felt uneasy all over.
Undoubtedly, the previous Deathstroke from the Main World hadn't left a good impression on Batman, and Batman certainly wouldn't have guessed that this eager display was Su Ming deliberately showing it to him.
This would allow him to legitimately conserve his strength, without showcasing his changes before the Justice League, a plan designed against reverse thinking.
"I won't kill without payment, you worry too much." Su Ming shrugged, immediately going along with it. In any case, he decided to play a supporting role in dealing with Hawkman.
Batman looked at Barry questioningly, but Barry didn't know whether he should testify now. After all, two Nightmare Batmen had directly or indirectly perished at Deathstroke's hands, and Deathstroke generously let the Justice League owe credit; this time there might be no money at stake...
So Barry could only give Bruce a wry smile.
"Stop laughing, if we delay any longer, the World Furnace will be torn apart."
Su Ming helplessly reminded Barry. The Speedster has plenty of time, but you shouldn't giggle inexplicably.....
Currently, Superman and Diana were flying in the sky, Hawkman's hammer swung like a fly swatter. They managed to dodge, but the ground everyone stood on couldn't escape.
Soon, this World Furnace floating in the Cosmos, like a volcanic land, would be shattered.
What Su Ming could think of, Batman naturally could also perceive. But he seemed to be waiting for Su Ming's opinion, merely dodging stones and the giant hammer with his cape in tow.
Once Superman starts fighting, it's always a big commotion. There aren't many things here he could destroy, and soon, there won't be anywhere left for them to stand.
Seeing Batman in silence, Su Ming didn't waste time either. He hooked Barry's neck and whispered in his ear, Barry's eyes lit up and he agreed.
In the air, Diana noticed Barry gesturing at her from the ground, indicating for her to come down. She hesitated for a moment, assuming it was another idea from Deathstroke.
But she didn't have a better plan now, and she had good relations with Hawkman and Hawk Woman; dispersing the dark energy in Hawkman and waking him from the nightmare would make him a hero again, he mustn't be killed.
She avoided the hammer's sweep and jumped beside Barry. Barry reached out and asked for the Lasso of Truth, whispering a few of Su Ming's plans.
After hearing the plan, Diana looked over at Su Ming in the distance, casually leaning on his Great Sword watching the show. How could a mere human mercenary like Deathstroke come up with a way to deal with such a giant monster?
However, she knew the plan was feasible, and she passed the tactic to Superman.
In the heat of battle, Superman glanced at Batman, and Bruce nodded in agreement.
Unfortunately, before Superman could turn back, he was hammered by Hawkman, fixed into the distant rock wall like a nail, with stones flying, and a section of dozens of meters of the wall collapsed like a city wall.
"Tsk..."
Su Ming and Barry both drew a breath of cold air, lucky it was Superman who got hit, anyone else surely wouldn't have fared well.
It wasn't right to just watch, it was time to enact the plan.....
Su Ming pulled his Great Sword from the ground, sprinting wildly towards Hawkman's legs.