Chapter 11 Black Mask

The next day

A dim glow flickered against the cold walls of the office, the air thick with smoke. Giovanni sat in his chair, head tilted back, the cigarette between his fingers pulsing with a deep orange glow as he took a slow inhale.

The door creaked open.

Renzo stepped inside, his black shirt neatly tucked into matching trousers, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His expression was unreadable—calm, composed.

"We have a problem, sir," he said, his tone as steady as ever.

Giovanni exhaled a cloud of smoke. "What?"

"The shipment for the weapons is gone." Renzo said flatly.

Giovanni shot forward. "What!" He thundered. "What do you mean gone ?"

Renzo opened the door wider, allowing a battered man to step inside. The driver's clothes were singed, his face smeared with soot, the acrid scent of burnt fabric clinging to him. His hands trembled as he looked at Giovanni, fear evident in his eyes.

"It's true, sir," the driver croaked. "There was a man… dressed in black. A mask covered his face. His eyes—they glowed blue, like the devil himself. He cut through everyone and burned the van with the weapons still inside. It's a miracle I made it out alive."

Giovanni's fingers clenched around his cigarette. His free hand slammed against the desk.

"That little runt!" His voice thundered through the room. "First, he was a nuisance. Now he's a direct threat. That shipment cost me a fortune!"

His fist crashed onto the wooden surface, rattling the ashtray. "He thinks he can get away with this?" His breath came in sharp bursts, rage boiling in his chest.

"Judging from the way he's acting, I think he's here to stay," Renzo said, his voice calm and composed. "And he's going to be a serious problem for us."

Giovanni groaned, shooting a glare at his lieutenant. "You don't think I know that?" He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

Renzo glanced at the driver. "Leave us."

The man wasted no time, stumbling toward the door before vanishing into the hallway.

Giovanni exhaled sharply. "I have to inform Belmont."

"No need, sir," Renzo replied.

Giovanni arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Renzo met his gaze, unwavering. "I didn't find out about the shipment from the van driver."

A heavy silence filled the room as Giovanni processed his words, realization settling in.

****

On the Streets

Crowds gathered across the city, their attention fixed on a news broadcast. A reporter stood in front of the blackened husk of a van, the remnants of last night's attack still smoldering. Excited chatter spread through the streets, voices buzzing with speculation.

"Black Mask struck again…"

"Did you see those glowing blue eyes?"

"He took down an entire crew on his own!"

Jaxon and Milo walked through the morning rush, blending into the sea of students heading to school. The scene on the screen wasn't new to them—they had already gone over everything.

A satisfied grin tugged at Jaxon's lips.

****

The Belmont Mansion

Belmont sat in his usual spot, his posture relaxed as his sharp gaze remained fixed on the television screen. The news broadcast replayed the events of the previous night—the destruction of Giovanni's shipment and the rise of a new figure in Gotham.

A low chuckle escaped Belmont's lips. "How amusing," he mused, leaning back in his chair. "They're already calling him Gotham's new savior. As if some masked fool playing hero changes anything."

Alfred, standing beside him, watched the screen with his usual composed expression. "The plan has been set into motion," he said.

Belmont's smirk widened. "Indeed. But tell me, Alfred… why do the people sound more excited about him than me?" His tone was light, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it.

Alfred didn't hesitate. "Master, you've been around for quite some time now. The people have grown accustomed to you—like an old flavor they've tasted for years. But Black Mask? He's new. A fresh taste they can't get enough of. And people always crave something different."

Belmont's smirk faltered slightly. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest of his chair. "Hmph. That novelty won't last."

"Perhaps not," Alfred agreed. "But even so, he won't be easy to get rid of."

Belmont's fingers stopped tapping. His grin returned, colder this time only able to utter two words. "Black Mask."

****

The Town Hall

A grand hall bathed in bright overhead lights, their glow reflecting off the pristine marble floor. Rows of seats filled with Gotham's elite—reporters, businessmen, and officials—created an air of anticipation. Camera flashes flickered like lightning, momentarily illuminating the faces in the crowd.

At the front, a stage stood with three empty seats, a microphone positioned at the center.

The massive oak doors at the side burst open. The Mayor entered, flanked by towering bouncers in sleek black suits. At once, the audience rose to their feet, welcoming him with an eerie silence.

With measured steps, he reached the center chair, lowering himself into it. Two men followed suit, taking the seats beside him.

The flashing intensified, the rapid clicks of cameras echoing through the hall. The Mayor leaned forward, his fingers adjusting the microphone as he brought it closer to his lips.

His face was on every screen in Gotham. The usual noise of the city had faded into a rare silence as the people waited. It wasn't every day the Mayor himself addressed the public.

He leaned forward, adjusting the microphone. His voice carried across the hall with unwavering authority.

"The reason I have called this gathering is simple: Gotham is in danger. A masked vigilante has been running through our streets, the one you all call Black Mask. To some, he may seem like a hero, a friend, a symbol of hope. But upon closer inspection, we see the truth—he is a threat.

"A man with such power, acting without oversight, is a danger to every citizen. What happens when he decides Gotham is his to rule? What happens when his sense of justice turns against us? We have seen this before. Seventeen years ago, Gotham suffered under the weight of unchecked chaos. I refuse to let history repeat itself.

"For seventeen years, I have served as your Mayor, dedicated to the safety and prosperity of our people. I have fought to keep Gotham stable, to protect its future. And I will not allow a masked menace to undo everything we have built.

"So it is with great resolve that I officially declare Black Mask a public enemy of Gotham."