Chapter 20: The Unseen Battle

Henry stood in front of the large glass window of his penthouse, overlooking the sprawling city beneath him. Starling had always been a city of contrasts—gleaming towers shadowing the dark alleys, wealth intertwined with corruption. But now, it felt like a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment. The League's movements were more frequent, their presence growing bolder, and he could feel the pressure mounting.

As much as he'd been preparing for this moment, there was an undeniable weight to the stakes now. Every decision was a calculated risk, and every move he made could either fortify his position or bring everything crashing down. He wasn't just up against the League anymore—he was up against the entire system, against the very fabric of Starling's corruption. But Henry was nothing if not patient. The quiet storm inside him brewed, waiting for the right moment to unleash.

Henry's thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. He turned, his face smoothing into its usual calm expression, before motioning for whoever was outside to enter. It was Walter, his face tight, betraying a tension that Henry had come to recognize as fear.

"We need to talk," Walter said, his voice low but urgent.

Henry raised an eyebrow, his gaze never leaving the view outside. "About?"

"The League," Walter began, stepping further into the room. "I've been doing some digging. They're preparing to take more drastic action. I've seen signs—subtle ones, but they're there. If we don't act fast, we'll lose more than just Queen Consolidated."

Henry turned slowly, meeting Walter's eyes. There was a moment of silence between them, and for a split second, it felt like the room itself held its breath. "You're worried," Henry said, his tone even.

Walter swallowed, looking uncomfortable under Henry's scrutiny. "This isn't just about business anymore, Henry. It's about our lives. The League won't stop until they've wiped out any resistance."

Henry let out a soft, almost imperceptible sigh. "I'm aware."

Walter shifted, clearly uneasy. "I just want to make sure we're prepared. You've made a lot of enemies, and now it feels like we're cornered. What's your plan?"

Henry smirked, walking over to his desk and leaning against it. "I've already made my move. The League will never see it coming."

Later that evening, Henry and Oliver met at the old hideout—the place they'd used in the past to strategize and prepare for the worst. Despite the growing tension in the city, Oliver's demeanor remained resolute, his usual confidence tempered by the gravity of the situation.

"What's our next step?" Oliver asked as he entered, looking at Henry, who was already seated with a tablet in hand, reviewing the latest intel.

"We go after Merlyn," Henry said without looking up. "He's the key. If we can neutralize him, the League's structure will collapse. But it has to be precise—no mistakes."

Oliver nodded, understanding the stakes. "How do we get to him? He's been more elusive than we anticipated."

Henry glanced up, his expression calm but fierce. "I've already arranged a meeting with one of his close associates. We'll leverage his ties to Queen Consolidated. Once we have him in our grasp, we'll turn the tables on Merlyn. The League won't know what hit them."

The plan was set into motion the following day. Henry had orchestrated every detail with his usual meticulousness, ensuring that nothing was left to chance. He was in control—of the city, of the situation, and of the game.

As he prepared for the confrontation, a sudden thought crossed his mind. The level of danger had increased tenfold. The League was unpredictable, and Merlyn was known for his ruthlessness. Henry knew this wasn't just about eliminating a threat; it was about sending a message.

He turned to Oliver, who was finishing a round of weapons checks. "We're going to take everything from him, Oliver. Not just his position. His power, his influence. The League is nothing without Merlyn. And after this, they'll be nothing without us."

Oliver gave him a sharp nod. "We're ready. But you're sure about this? There's no turning back once we move."

Henry gave him a knowing smile. "I've never backed down before. Neither should you."

The meeting with Merlyn's associate was set at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. As Henry and Oliver made their way inside, the atmosphere was thick with tension, the air heavy with the scent of rust and dust. They were here to make a statement—one that would reverberate through the League and shake its foundation to the core.

Merlyn's associate, a man named Alan Finch, was waiting for them inside. The moment he saw Henry, his face shifted from wariness to wary respect. Finch knew better than to underestimate Henry's intellect. The man was a force to be reckoned with, and the stakes had never been higher.

"You wanted to talk?" Finch said, his voice cautious.

Henry stepped forward, his gaze sharp. "I don't talk, Finch. I act."

In a matter of minutes, Finch was under their control, caught in a web of lies and manipulation that Henry spun with ease. By the end of their meeting, Finch had given up critical information about Merlyn's operations, his secret dealings, and the League's next move.

As Finch was escorted out of the building, Henry turned to Oliver, his eyes cold and calculating. "This is just the beginning. We need to move quickly, or the League will strike first."

Oliver clenched his fists. "What now?"

"We go after Merlyn," Henry said simply, the glint in his eyes promising that nothing and no one would stand in their way.

Back at Queen Consolidated, Henry was already planning his next move, using Finch's information to infiltrate Merlyn's inner circle. He had already begun making the necessary adjustments to Queen Consolidated's security, fortifying the company's position. The League's influence in the city was about to be severed at its core, and Henry would make sure of it.

But even as he worked, there was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. He couldn't afford to be caught off guard, not with so many forces at play. The League's reach was vast, and it was only a matter of time before they realized Henry had gone after Merlyn. But by then, it would be too late.

The war for Starling had begun.