Chapter 10: The Crown Beneath the Streets

Chapter 10: The Crown Beneath the Streets

The underbelly of Metropolis was like a living organism—thriving in the darkness, feeding off desperation, greed, and fear. And Alexander intended to control every inch of it.

He sat in the dimly lit backroom of The Abyss, one of the largest illegal gambling dens in the city. Smoke curled in the air, the scent of whiskey and desperation thick in the atmosphere. Across from him sat Roman Sionis—Black Mask.

Beside him, Selina leaned lazily against the bar, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. She watched as Black Mask exhaled, voice thick with skepticism.

"You want to control Metropolis's underworld?" Sionis scoffed. "Cute. But I've seen men bigger than you die trying."

Alexander leaned forward, his smile sharp. "No, Roman. I don't want to control part of it. I want it all."

Black Mask chuckled, shaking his head. "You've got nerve, I'll give you that." He gestured around the room. "You see this? The Abyss alone pulls in millions. And that's just one piece of my empire."

Alexander took a slow sip of his drink. "Empire?" he echoed. "Tell me, Roman. When was the last time you made a move without looking over your shoulder?"

Black Mask's expression darkened.

"Gotham has Joker, Penguin, Bane. Metropolis has Intergang, Bruno Mannheim, Tobias Whale. And let's not forget the League watching from above." Alexander tapped his temple. "You don't own this city. You're renting it."

Black Mask's fingers curled into fists. "And you think you can do better?"

Alexander smirked. "No, Roman. I am doing better."

A sharp whistle. The door swung open, and four men were dragged inside—bloody, beaten, their faces swollen beyond recognition.

Black Mask's eyes narrowed. "The hell is this?"

Selina took a slow sip of her wine. "Intergang's local enforcers."

One of the men groaned, barely conscious. "H-He's not human…"

Alexander stood, rolling his sleeves up. "They were supposed to meet with Mannheim tonight. An arms deal." He gestured toward them. "Unfortunately for them… I made a better offer."

Black Mask's eyes flicked to Alexander's men—silent figures clad in black, standing in the shadows of the room. Well-trained. Efficient. Loyal.

Roman chuckled darkly. "You're making a lot of enemies, Graves."

Alexander smirked. "I'm making investments."

Black Mask exhaled. "You're serious about this."

"Deadly."

Sionis leaned back, studying Alexander for a long moment. Then, he laughed. "You know what? Screw it. You want in? You want all of it? Fine. But you'd better be ready for the bloodbath that follows."

Alexander clinked his glass against Roman's. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

Selina smirked. Step one—complete.

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