[Location: Apokolips, outskirts of the Ignis sector: Vorago.]

“…not invincible.”

Steppenwolf surfaced from the subterranean chasm of sleep. He rolled over to face the balcony that offered an expansive view of the Ignis sector. Scintillant light from distant fire pits skittered off the tile floor in brief bursts. One could see from the balcony that the Ignis sector was crowded with familiar industrialization that encompassed most of Apokolips. Steppenwolf’s residence happened to be in a pocket of space known as Vorago. This was a rare open area near the Sphere of No-Form. Some of those deemed important to the monarchy lived in these residential units. And Steppenwolf was an individual who was considered useful.

Steppenwolf felt irritated. As his mind swiftly caught up with his surroundings, Steppenwolf suddenly realized what was bothering him so much. There was someone knocking continuously at his door. Steppenwolf never talked to his neighbors. In fact, he rarely ever even saw them. And the lower classes would be shot on sight if they came anywhere near Vorago.

“…Who?”

Steppenwolf threw himself out of bed, ready to knock the lights out of whoever was trying to pester him. He stomped down to the first level and cracked the door open a few inches. Malice rained down in fiery showers from Steppenwolf’s expression at the squat annoyance standing before him.

“Godfrey? What are you doing here?”

“Steppe, friend! I’m glad you came so quickly!”

Glorious Godfrey was a young trainee attempting to join the ranks of the Apokoliptian military. He was charismatic and could talk a good game, but Steppenwolf knew he was in for a headache whenever Godfrey’s sprightly russet hair appeared on the horizon. Everyone else didn’t seem to be at odds with Godfrey, but his energetic nature clashed with Steppenwolf’s somber attitude.

Steppenwolf opened the door all the way, now perplexed.

“What… did you just call me?”

“It’s a nickname! Anyways, I am here by the specific request of the King, that’s right! I was sent here to retrieve: You! The great Yuga Khan requests your presence at the royal palace!”

Godfrey’s excitable ways may have irked Steppenwolf, but he knew the trainee wouldn’t lie about the King of Apokolips desiring his presence.

“…I understand. But… I won’t show you any mercy if you call me ‘Steppe’ again.”

∞

“Suli Lux. Do you know why you’ve been brought before me?”

“Q-queen Heggra… I don’t-“

Heggra loomed over the frightened woman kneeling before her. Her favored Female Furies stood on each side of the prisoner in pairs. The atmosphere of the Sphere of No-Form usually crackled with the heat of cramped trainees. But now it was cavernous, echoing with the voices of the six within its walls. The appearance was different too. Gone was the simulator used in every day training, lowered underground and replaced with a physical arena. Death was not preferable in daily training as it was considered a waste of those with potential. However, tangible battles were fought when trainees were set to graduate into the elite service of the Apokoliptian military. Those who lived were placed into ranks according to how well they fought and how many opponents they defeated. But Suli Lux was not a warrior. Heggra knew this.

Suli struggled with her restraints. Heggra then uttered the name of her child.

“Uxas.”

Suli froze, lifting her gaze with trepidation. Heggra tilted her head back towards the ceiling.

“How did you meet my magnificent son?”

Suli shook her head and opened her mouth to respond. But Heggra callously interrupted. She dropped down, close to the prisoner’s face; seeing her pupils dilate in a shockwave of horror.

“Actually, I don’t care. Listen to me, you little harlot: my son has immense potential. Who but Heggra could have could have borne a child with such a vast reserve of colossal power!? But do you know what he speaks of now? A woman… A woman scrounged from the Abyssus sector. Peaceful and calm…” Heggra pointed a finger in Suli’s face, her voice beginning to quake with rage. “Uxas does not need PEACE and CALM. He is Apokoliptian ROYALTY. He will eventually have an entire planet to worry about. He must mistake me for being softer than I really am, because he told me… he told me of you. And he said your name as if it was the sweetest thing his lips had ever tasted. My Uxas does NOT need LOVE. You will make him weak. And I can’t accept that or YOU!”

Heggra’s voice nearly rose to a shriek as she ended her tirade. The Furies were used to the Queen’s eruptions of anger, so they stood without reaction as her emotions hemorrhaged. On the other hand, Suli’s expression deflated into a sheet of distress.

“It’s not his fault…” Suli murmured.

Heggra looked disgusted.

“What was that? ‘It’s not his fault?’ You ignorant nymphet, I know it’s not his fault! Marraxa, uncuff her. Wunda, Chasma – give me your weapons.”

As Heggra stood to receive electric spears the Furies guarded her with, Suli was released from her bonds. Heggra took a few steps back and leveled her gaze with Suli. She pointed one of the electric spears towards Suli before speaking once more.

“Suli Lux. Get up. I’ll warn you right now: If you attempt to flee, I will kill you immediately. You are now my opponent and I’m going to show you how much I care about my son’s glorious future. Now, I’m not completely unfair. You’ll get one of these weapons I’m holding. But I will not be easy to defeat. I am QUEEN HEGGRA of APOKOLIPS. Now fight me, you sorceress!”

One of the Furies that had relinquished control of her weapon looked at Suli sadly.