That moment Axel snapped a sneering look at Falcone, the air between them crackled like a live wire.
Without hesitation, Axel picked up his wine glass and hurled it straight at Falcone. The crimson liquid splashed across Falcone's clothes in a messy arc.
Falcone just spread his hands innocently, a strange half‑smile pulling at his lips.
"Thirty years in Gotham's underworld, our family had rules," Falcone began, voice calm as though he hadn't been hit with wine. "Back then I was just a nobody, polishing the Boss's shoes every day. Not just polishing, I had to kiss the tips of them too. After you took down Ra's al Ghul, I'm not the kind of man who gets easily riled up in front of you. If you want to piss me off, just put your foot up so I can polish your shoes again, Wraith."
As he spoke, Falcone shrugged off his suit jacket and straightened his shirt with an elegant motion. He continued, his tone almost sentimental.
"Though I've only known you for two days, I can tell you're not pure evil. You don't harm people who genuinely love and admire you. I admire you, Wraith. Ra's al Ghul was always a threat — everything I controlled in the mortal world was nothing compared to the fire he wielded from beyond. He could have reduced me to ashes."
Falcone paused, eyes softening as if recalling something old and distant.
"But you surpass him. I have long learned to compromise with powers stronger than strength alone."
Before Falcone could finish, Axel burst out laughing, cutting him off.
"You know what's useless?" Axel said, arms wide and voice loud, "Not compromising. You can't beat me and you sure as hell can't contain me. So your only real option isn't retreat or negotiation — it's escape. Don't dress up your inevitable failure with fancy words and moral excuses, old man."
Axel glanced at Selina, who looked stunned beside him.
"This guy just asked why I want to tear down Wayne Tower, like I need some big, philosophical reason for wanting chaos. What a fucking joke. I do whatever I damn well want, and I go wherever I damn well want! You think I want to go toe‑to‑toe with Wayne, Gotham, or the whole world? Nope. I'm sitting here in Gotham waiting for the whole world to bring its challenge to me! Compared to me, everyone else out here is begging for relevance. Their threats? Their ambitions? They're just entertainment, Buddy!"
Axel's laughter boomed louder. He finished his steak in a few bites and stood from the sofa.
"I've said enough. You have one night to get out of Gotham. By sunrise tomorrow, I will, like I promised, tear down everything you left behind. Come on, Selina, let's take a walk through Gotham. Let this old man think about it for himself."
He headed for the door of the private room, beckoning to Selina without looking back.
Selina paused, eyes narrowing.
"Why would I go for a walk with you?"
Axel turned with a sneer, voice rough and unfiltered.
"If you don't want to come, then step the aside. I don't need to see you again, idiot."
He pushed the door open and stormed out. Selina's eyes flickered with surprise before she dashed after him.
Inside the private room, Falcone couldn't help but laugh.
Victor watched him thoughtfully.
"Boss," Victor said quietly, "could what Wraith said actually be true? Should I be gathering people?"
Falcone waved him off gently.
"No need. But what he said isn't bullshit," Falcone replied, rubbing his chin. "If he were hiding behind some mask or secret identity, I'd have to fight him. I'd try drugs, hypnosis, anything to crack him. Because someone with weaknesses — someone who protects something — has an Achilles heel. But this guy?" Falcone shook his head. "He treats the world like a toy. What am I, Carmine Falcone, in comparison?"
He let out a slow breath.
"It's a shame. The gift I prepared for him won't be used. I thought maybe we could work together for a bit. But tomorrow, I'll be the one in his crosshairs."
Falcone paused, thinking of his battered allies.
"Tell Maroni to release Savage. Have a drink with him. Maroni, Fish, Oswald and the others must stay in Gotham. I'm not taking them with me."
Victor looked confused.
"And you, Boss?"
Falcone smiled with a tired edge.
"Me? I'm taking my daughter back to Italy. It's sooner than I expected, but she got what our family needed most. Then I'll find a quiet place to rest. You know my condition. I was diagnosed with cancer two and a half months ago. How many years left? Three? Five? I feared stepping away earlier because idiots like Maroni wouldn't let me. But now, Wraith is taking care of it for me. Don't you see the meaning in his words?"
With that, Falcone stood and walked out of the room. Victor watched him go, noticing the lighter step — as if a huge weight had lifted.
Outside, Gotham's rain fell hard and cold. Selina, coat over her shoulders, trailed behind Axel as he strode through the storm.
She raised her hand to shield her head.
"This rain is insane. You sure we don't need an umbrella?" she asked.
Axel laughed, his voice echoing in the downpour.
"Gotham's rain only hurts those who don't belong. You and I? We're destined to be Gotham's darlings. So what's there to fear? Stay close and take me to Wayne Tower. I want to see all of Gotham from the top. Before I burn this city to cinders, I should at least remember how it looked intact."
He laughed again and barreled toward a line of parked motorcycles, ignoring the shocked glares of the bikers standing nearby. With a single kick he launched one biker aside.
The biker howled, and instantly a circle of large, burly men surrounded Axel.
Selina's eyes narrowed with thrill rather than fear.
"So this is why you love being unrestrained, Wraith?" she asked, stepping forward.
Before she could react, a biker reached for her. Selina caught his arm mid‑air and slammed him to the ground with effortless precision.
Axel grinned and raised a hand, snatching another biker by the neck. Without hesitation he crushed it in his grip as though squeezing trash.
"I like being unrestrained," Axel growled, voice rough as steel, "not because I enjoy killing scum, but because every time I drop a piece of filth like this, another version of my past self gets to have a slightly better life. My old self resented people born with more than me, despised helplessness and despair. My current self sees weakness as a choice. Weakness that should be stomped out."
His eyes glinted in the rain.
"Maybe I'm not worthy of leading them all. Maybe my methods won't make any of them happy. But when they drop all weakness like I did, we can show every so‑called important person just how fucking terrified they should be of them."
---