The Flightless

Blackest Night

The morning is accompanied by the vibrations of a massive earthquake. My squad slowly rises from our sleep to eat a quick breakfast and prepare for the fight of our lives. Rain continues to pour outside as my hour of death approaches.

My uneasiness is contagious, apparently. No one is in the same spirits they were last night. Everyone silently stews in their own thoughts, myself and Oswald included. I keep to his side, our hands intertwined. We whisper our love and adoration for each other when we get the chance.

He doesn't know my death is coming today, yet still, he is adamant about reminding me of his love.

"You shouldn't be here. You're still a prisoner of Blackgate Penitentiary. You should be on a bus with the rest of them."

Os shrugs then. "If this is the end of life as we know it, I'd rather spend my time with the love of my life."

I thought I was prepared for death. When lightning cracks the sky and Desaad's laughter fills the air, I find my heart fluttering in my chest. Anxiety cripples my thoughts. Where shall I perish? Will it be painful?

"I love you," I tell my husband and kiss him full on the lips, not paying any attention to my squad. "Let's go."

Fate places a hand on my shoulder. I run into his arms without thinking.

"It's just the end of the world," Floyd comments. "I don't understand why we're spreading out the emotions right now."

King Shark adds his own remark. "Some— some of us like living in this world, Deadshot."

My friend rolls his eyes. I can tell it's taking everything in his power to keep a straight face.

"It's time to go. We're Earth's last line of defense. Desaad and his army do not step foot outside city lines. Got it?"

My team nods in agreement.

I lead the squad out to Main Street. Doctor Fate flies by my side. Oswald waddles on the over, his shotgun hoisted over his shoulder. I meet eyes with Constantine and Deadshot just past them.

This is the beginning of the war.

As we round the corner, we're blockaded in by hundreds and hundreds of police officers. Oswald and I push through them to find Jim and Harvey Bullock at the forefront. Tears swell in my eyes as I hug both of them.

"I told you to get on the last bus."

My brother slips his hands in his pockets. "You know I don't take orders."

"This is it," I say. "I have a feeling everything is coming to an end today. Are you ready?"

The skeletal, rotting visage of Desaad appears at the end of the street. A massive swarm of parademons follows him in a single, large mob.

Jim signals for the GCPD to load their weapons and find cover. Oswald and Rick join them.

"Are you?"

I roll my shoulders. "Just another day in the office."

My husband quickly takes my hand. "Stay safe, Sera."

For just this second, I'm snapped out my cocky moment. This is the one promise I will break today.  I won't stay safe. Sometime within the next 24 hours, my life will be destroyed. Oswald will be a widower. Dinah will be motherless.

But if it's to protect them, I'll give up my breath time and time again.

Fate glides overhead. I hop over the police line and join his charge into the swarm. King Shark, Livewire, Deadshot, and Constatine follow behind us.