[Location: Apokolips, Abyssus: Suli’s abode.]

Suli was so exhausted after the day’s events that she wasn’t even worried about Heggra’s goons coming after her. Heggra didn’t know where in Abyssus she was hunkered down. Suli was positive of this because she had been taken somewhere near Ignis. Suli hadn’t been harmed other than being bound for two-ish hours, but her body ached with emotional distress. She crawled into a cot, pulling the velvety comforter up to her nose. The lushness of the comforter brought Suli peace. It was the only amenity in the antiquated dwelling that did so. Suli lived under a factory whose purpose was still unknown to her. She had few neighbors, all whom were considered worthless by the crown. Just like she was. And thus, Suli trusted all of them because the poor stuck together on Apokolips. Even if they couldn’t easily fight the injustice of their homeworld.

Suli was worried about how Uxas would react towards his mother. And she didn’t appreciate Heggra’s impertinent actions. But Suli wished she could convince the Queen that she wasn’t a blight on Uxas’ life – royal or not.

Suli closed her eyes, slipping back into the pit of stelliform memories.

∞

Suli stood before a melanoid corridor, on the edge of collapsing. The corridor was an unguarded entryway Suli had noticed from Armagetto. The opening seemed odd, almost like the palace was setting Suli up. But they didn’t even know she existed. Why would they? Suli had scaled the precipitous structure cradling the complex. She had done so with relative ease due to parkour skills developed as a young Apokoliptian. She had also done this in full view of Armagetto. She knew some had seen, but they would bite their tongues in fear of being taken away themselves.

Suli took a step forth, sucking in her breath.

Nothing.

Suli grazed her hands against the wall, creeping down the darkened hall. She wanted to see the King; forget cost. She had too. Suli’s little adventure was probably daft on a flaming world like Apokolips, but she didn’t care. The cruelty of the elite was precisely why she wanted to see the King herself. She wanted to see the face that let her people suffer daily, while he campaigned military action after military action…

Suli didn’t notice the reverberation of bootsteps until a hand squeezed her shoulder.

“Hey. The other Furies are in the courtyard. How did you get separ-?”

Suli wrenched her head towards the firm voice.

“…I don’t recognize you. What’s your Happiness ID?”

Of course, sneaking into the palace had been a insipid idea.

The Female Fury who was now digging her sharpened nails into Suli’s shoulder seemed irate. One mauve eye stared into Suli’s face, the other covered – maybe lost in battle? Her cropped hair and bulky armor betrayed any sense of femininity she might have desired. Suli tried to pull away. But the towering Fury grabbed Suli’s other shoulder, alerted to her terror.

“Hey… You don’t look like you belong here, little lady.”

“I-I’m… I’m Suli Lux.”

The Fury tilted her head in confusion and began to laugh.

“I could kill you right now and the first thing you tell me is your name? You’re a brave one. But… You’re not one of us… What brings a commoner to the palace depths? If literally anyone else saw you…”

The Fury let go of Suli and made a slicing motion across her neck in the shadows. She now seemed amused, an emotion that saved Suli’s life.

“Why didn’t you kill me then…?” Suli uttered, her muscles still tense.

A little smile bloomed on the Fury’s lips. She reached over Suli, pulling a wall switch. Dingy lights flickered on. And then the Fury answered.

“Not all of us are like… that, Suli Lux. Well, I mean a lot of us are. Granny doesn’t like weaklings. And we’re bred for war, y’know. But personally, me? I’m not going to kill a tiny one like you, even if you’re breaking Apokoliptian law. You’re not even armed! That’s not fai- You’re not armed right?”

Suli threw her hands up, taking a few steps back.

“N-no! I didn’t even think of that… You can search me if you want…”

The Fury crossed her arms.

“Nah. I believe you. How foolish not to bring a weapon… Hey. You didn’t answer my question though, y’know.”

Suli looked towards the ground.

“I wanted to see the King… I’ve never seen him. I think it’s unfair no one gets to see his face unless they’re elite or a warrior.”

The Fury seemed perplexed.

“Do all commoners feel that way?”

“No… I believe most are so frightened of the powerful that they don’t wonder such things. I’m just a little odd. I want to help people.” Suli replied honestly.

“Help people… I’ve never heard of such a thing. I’ll tell you what though – I like you. But you do need to leave immediately. Yuga Khan’s unsightly mug has no bearing on you being kind, right? Whatever you’re doing – just don’t get caught. I have a feeling it’s something… That might not be ‘ok’.”

Suli slowly nodded. The Fury looked around to make sure they were still alone.

“…My name is Chasma. My Happiness ID is C1732- Wait. You don’t need to know that. If you happen to get your hands on a communicator, set up the channel Abruptum67 – password…”

Chasma leaned over and whispered something unintelligible in Suli’s ear.

“…I’ll leave figuring out how to bypass Granny’s system up to you…”

Chasma looked worried momentarily, but then grinned.

“You can do it, Suli Lux! That channel is within the Fury network, but it’s private. Granny thinks I use it to record my battles. I want to know more about what you’re up too… I’m odd myself, though. Now get out of here before someone comes and kills us both.”

∞

Chasma had been an unlikely friend. A female designed to destroy, but one who was probably defective due to her emotions. Suli was able to illegally acquire a military communicator within several months. She harbored the same curiosity Chasma held towards her. She wanted to know more about the Fury meant to be soul-crushing. The one who laughed radiantly instead. It was fascinating. Unfortunately, Chasma had difficulties controlling those bright emotions. And it almost cost her everything.

Suli bypassed Granny Goodness’ network security with the help of a neighbor. All it took was some bribing with some spices. The lower classes rarely got flavor in their food. And Suli’s neighbor was an older Apokoliptian who hadn’t tasted actual food in over a thousand years. Suli didn’t let the man know who she was contacting because he might not have helped. The Female Furies were widely feared by a majority of Apokoliptians, including the elite. The neighbor just wouldn’t understand.

Suli started sending messages after the private channel was set up. It came as a slight surprise to her, but Chasma responded. For months they went back and forth. They told each other their hopes and fears. Chasma thought Suli was the only good Apokoliptian she had ever encountered. And it hurt, but Suli thought Chasma wasn’t fit to be a Female Fury.

However, Chasma was the one who unintentionally altered everything…

∞

Steppenwolf stood on the second-floor balcony of his home, holding a chalice. He had returned from the Sphere of No-Form thirty minutes ago. Steppenwolf felt indignant. Not only was Heggra displeased with him, but now Uxas radiated a menacing air. No one was satisfied with him. Even though he was exceptional in his training. This frustrated Steppenwolf. He wanted to let Heggra know that he would willingly fight for her and Apokolips. Of course, Heggra believed that Steppenwolf just did what he was told as an underling. But Steppenwolf did care for his elder sister despite her shortcomings. And he was a proud Apokoliptian.

Steppenwolf glanced out over the Ignis sector. The voltaic network stretched into infinity, punctuated by spiraling fire pits. There were four primary fire pits across Apokolips, but many smaller ones stippled the entire planet. The fire pits were meant to be eternal energy sources. Threads of wires connected by soaring towers ran through Ignis. This helped connect the population through telecommunication. Being the richest sector, the buildings of Ignis were industrial but streamlined. They stood against the scarlet horizon in cuboid chunks, occasionally piercing sky with angular architecture.

Steppenwolf didn’t want to disappoint Apokolips.

“I… should rest now.”

He dumped the contents of the chalice over the balcony. Then he went inside to sleep.

∞

“-overestimate yourself…”

Steppenwolf awoke with a start, airy voices shimmering around his mind. They melted into the floor and he blinked twice.

“I have to get to the Sphere of No-Form…” Steppenwolf rasped, remembering his duty.

He immediately vaulted out of bed, wide awake for the day. He had already pushed his dream away.

∞

The Sphere of No-Form scraped amber sky as a testament to Apokolips’ power. Steppenwolf looked up at the glistening globe holding both victory and despair. Then he went inside. The Sphere of No-Form was meant for warriors and they were present before other caste members. Many combatants were congregated around the lobby. The air was abuzz with their voices, drifting in and out of range like a fever dream. Steppenwolf scanned the area and locked eyes with Gilotina, who was near a staircase. She sneered at him before walking up the stairs.

Steppenwolf smirked.

“Are you still angry about ‘that’ after all this time, little Fury?”

Gilotina didn’t like Steppenwolf much due to something he said a while ago. This was before he decimated her in training a few days prior. It had been in front of one of Apokolips’ primary astronomers, Stellar. And Gilotina was angered that Stellar agreed with Steppenwolf; not her. While Steppenwolf was deciding whether he should confront Gilotina, a single finger suddenly drilled into his back.

“Steppe!”

Steppenwolf turned around, apathetically looking down at the finger’s owner.

“Godfrey. This… is the second time you’ve used inappropriate-“

Steppenwolf was cut off by excitement spilling in sheets from Godfrey’s mouth.

“This is important! It’s about you! Yes, you! Follow me to Granny Goodness, ok?”

“To Goodness…?”

“Yes! Come on, let’s go!”

Godfrey sped away, leaving Steppenwolf to follow in confusion. Granny Goodness was general of the Female Furies. Surely, she would only be dealing with them. That’s what Steppenwolf believed, anyways. After a short ride on the Sphere’s main elevator, Godfrey practically dragged Steppenwolf out. The graduation arena was still in place from Heggra’s escapade with Uxas’ woman. Goodness stood in front of a lectern on the other side. Enlisted personnel from both genders were walking up to and away from her. That’s when Steppenwolf understood. Goodness was overseeing everyone’s assignments for the invasion.

Godfrey streaked through the gathered Apokoliptians.

“Granny! I found Steppenwolf like you asked!”

Godfrey looked back at Steppenwolf.

“It’s your time, friend!”

Intrigue perforated Steppenwolf’s core. He swiftly strode up to the lectern, Goodness’ impersonal expression seeping into him.

“Greetings, Goodness.”

Goodness was nearly Steppenwolf’s height. It was rare that Steppenwolf didn’t have to look down at a fellow Apokoliptian. Goodness nodded, coiled hair bobbing around her face. Then she took a step back and looked Steppenwolf over before speaking.

“Steppenwolf. By special order of Yuga Khan and Queen Heggra I of Apokolips you are to lead the siege on Celestial City. You are not to fail, and you are not to touch my girls. They’re coming with me. This may seem sudden to you. But none of your feelings on this matter will be considered. You know this…” Goodness raised her chin before continuing. “You are considered one of the greatest trainees on Apokolips. We’ll see if that holds true.”

To be continued…