Age of Powers X DC Universe crossover : Guardians Beyond Time.

Chapter 26: Ripples of Sacrifice

The heroes gathered at the epicenter of the battlefield, their expressions heavy with the weight of their victory. The remnants of Lucifer's light faded into the air, leaving behind a calm but eerie stillness. The vast scars etched across the terrain bore testimony to the magnitude of their battle.

Kei stood, her blade of frost planted into the ground as her ice-blue aura began to dim. Her voice trembled. "We saved the universe, but... we couldn't save him."

Ignis, her fiery glow subsiding, placed a comforting hand on Kei's shoulder. "He chose this path, Kei. If there's anything left of him, it's free now. That's what matters."

Superman, still towering despite his own weariness, stepped forward. "Lucifer fought his own darkness in the end. His sacrifice gave us the chance to finish this. We owe it to him to carry on his legacy of protecting this universe."

Wonder Woman, her voice steady but laced with sympathy, added, "We all carry the weight of loss, but we also carry the strength to keep moving forward. You both fought valiantly."

A New Mystery Unfolds

As the team turned to leave the battlefield, a faint, flickering light caught Flash's attention. He sped toward it, crouching to examine the source. "Uh, guys? We've got something... weird over here."

The others approached cautiously. At the center of a small crater lay a crystalline shard, pulsing faintly with energy. It glowed with a mix of radiant light and faint traces of void energy, as though it were a fragment of Lucifer's being.

Batman's voice crackled over the comms. "What are you seeing, Flash?"

Flash lifted the shard carefully, holding it up. "Looks like some kind of artifact. Definitely not your average post-battle souvenir."

Kei and Ignis exchanged a glance, their instincts buzzing.

Ignis narrowed her eyes. "That thing feels... wrong. Like it's still connected to something bigger."

Kei, her voice cautious, added, "Or someone. We need to analyze it. If it's tied to Lucifer's power or the void, it could be dangerous."

Batman, ever pragmatic, replied, "Bring it to the Watchtower. I'll have it examined. But handle it carefully. We don't know what we're dealing with yet."

A Shadow Lurks

Unbeknownst to the heroes, a pair of glowing, crimson eyes watched from the shadows beyond the battlefield. The figure, cloaked in darkness, whispered to itself.

"So, the Harbinger is gone, and yet a fragment remains. The void's will is resilient. This isn't the end—it's only the beginning."

The figure vanished into the darkness, leaving no trace behind.

The Watchtower: New Threats, New Allies

Back at the Justice League's Watchtower, the team convened in the central chamber. The crystalline shard was placed inside a secure containment field, its faint glow pulsating rhythmically.

Batman examined the readings on a console, his brow furrowed. "The energy signature is unstable, but it's not expanding. For now, it's contained."

Kei leaned against the wall, her arms crossed. "For now. But what happens if it becomes active again?"

Wonder Woman responded calmly, "We'll deal with it. Together."

Superman, always the optimist, smiled. "This team has faced impossible odds before. We're stronger now—stronger because of each other."

Before anyone could reply, an alert sounded throughout the Watchtower. Green Lantern's voice came through the intercom.

"We've got a situation. Massive energy spike detected near Earth's core—similar to the void energy we just fought."

Batman's expression darkened. "It's starting already."

Preparing for the Next Battle

The heroes moved swiftly to prepare for the next encounter. Kei and Ignis readied their weapons, their resolve renewed despite their exhaustion.

Ignis grinned, fire flickering around her fingertips. "Well, guess we're not getting that break we wanted."

Kei, a faint smile breaking through her somber demeanor, replied, "Wouldn't be us if we did."

Flash, pacing with nervous energy, added, "Let's just hope it's not another end-of-the-world thing. I'm still sore from the last one."

Wonder Woman placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together."

As the team prepared to depart, the glowing shard in the containment field pulsed brightly for a moment, as if responding to the looming threat.

Kei glanced back at it, a feeling of unease washing over her. "Something tells me this isn't over. Not by a long shot."

To Be Continued...