Tet and Ares sat comfortably in the parlor of Wayne Manor, the polished wood and old-world elegance standing in sharp contrast to the divine presence they brought with them. Across from them sat Bruce Wayne, rigid and attentive, Damian Wayne beside him with arms crossed and a scowl etched into his face, and Dick Grayson leaning back slightly, eyes darting between the two gods. Off to the side stood Alfred, calm and dignified as ever.
For a moment, the only sound in the room was Ares casually sipping his tea.
"Damn, I don't usually drink tea, but this isn't bad at all," Ares said, sounding genuinely impressed. "Another cup, Alfred."
"Glad to hear it, sir," Alfred replied smoothly, stepping forward to refill Ares's cup with practiced grace.
Bruce's gaze never left the two visitors. "So, if I've got the facts straight, you're a multiversal-level god who has dominion over games," he said evenly, then shifted his eyes slightly toward the other guest, "and you're Ares, but not our Ares."
"Yep," Tet replied cheerfully, rocking slightly in his seat. "Now, I would love to sit here and answer every question you have, because honestly, I'm a Batman fan, but I think our time can be better spent doing something else."
"This is a waste of time, Father," Damian snapped sharply. "Superman will soon move to execute all the world's criminals after Lois's funeral. We should be preparing to join him, not wasting time with fake gods."
"Damian," Bruce said, his voice tight with restrained anger, "I will not resort to killing people, no matter how much they deserve it."
"Why not?" Damian shot back, rising slightly from his seat. "Tell me why. Why are you so afraid of killing? They deserve it."
Tet leaned forward slightly, a playful smile still on his face. "Oh, simple. Because your father knows that once he starts, he'll never stop. And while in the beginning he may kill only those who deserve it, once his self-control is gone, he'll eventually slip up and start killing the weak and innocent he's sworn to protect. There are multiple realities where exactly that happened, one of which is very similar to this one."
"Wait, seriously?" Dick said, eyes widening in disbelief.
"Yes," Tet continued lightly. "In one timeline where Superman started down the path he's about to embark on, Batman was left with no choice but to kill him by turning himself into a more powerful, more dangerous version of Doomsday. At first, he was able to control it, but eventually he lost his mind, and well… after that, I'm guessing you can piece the rest together." He smiled remembering the evil batman universes.
"Oh my God," Dick said, turning sharply to Bruce. "Bruce, you don't have that, do you?"
"The Doomsday virus is something I was considering," Bruce admitted grimly. "But after hearing that, I think it's best I scrap it."
"You're just taking what he said at face value," Damian snapped. "He could be lying. There's no possible way he's a god."
"Oh, I'm a god, alright," Tet replied calmly, though a hint of irritation crept into his tone. "Am I the strongest? No. I'm still young compared to the heavyweights of this multiverse. I've got a ways to go. But regardless, I am a god. Ordinarily, I'd prove it, but I have no need to justify myself to a self-entitled, brainwashed brat who's trying to piss away the respect and affection of the only parent that gives a shit about him."
"You don't know anything about me!" Damian shouted, leaping to his feet in fury.
"I know your mother didn't show you an ounce of real affection," Tet replied without hesitation. "I know your grandfather taught you the ways of the League of Assassins, which is kill first, ask questions never. You think you know everything, but you know nothing. For example, your family's order is vastly inferior to the Hashashin." He shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"What are you saying? My family isn't inferior!" Damian shouted back.
"Well, with your father's permission, I think it's best you learn what it's like to be an assassin who truly knows the value of each life he takes," Tet said brightly.
"You have it," Bruce said immediately.
"Father, what are you saying? You can't just—" Damian began, but he was cut off when a glowing golden key struck him squarely in the chest. In a flash of light, he vanished.
"Where'd you send him?" Ares whispered.
"Assassin's Creed: Black Flag," Tet replied casually, pulling his cap down over his eyes. "Let him live as one of the criminals he despises and find his redemption, just like the protagonist did, or be stuck there until I let him out."
"So he'll start his life as a criminal but redeem himself in the end… in the game you gave him?" Bruce asked.
"Yes," Tet said, glancing back up. "But how'd you figure he was in a game?" he added curiously.
"You're the god of games," Bruce replied simply. "It wasn't a hard guess."
"I assume you have games for me and Dick?" Bruce added expectantly.
"I assume you're hoping for something that can help you with Superman," Tet said. "There's no need for that. I'll handle him. I've got an ironic yet fun game lined up for him. I will give you and Dick a game, but after you've watched the show."
With that, Tet and Ares vanished in a ripple of light.
"So… you believe he's a god?" Dick asked quietly.
"He knew things he shouldn't have, had reality-warping abilities, and radiated an aura that brings out the inner child in all who willingly let themselves feel it," Bruce replied.
"I noticed that too," Dick said with a hint of nostalgia. "The more I felt it, the more I felt like a kid again. All my happiest childhood memories came bubbling up, along with my sense of wonder. Didn't even know I still had that."
"Yes, I felt it as well," Alfred said softly, a warm smile crossing his face. "It almost brings a tear to my eye."
"What do you think he's gonna do to Superman?" Dick asked.
"He already said it," Bruce replied, a faint smirk forming. "He's gonna make him play a game."
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"Alright, Ares, the time for talking is over. Let's go violently subdue the Justice League," Tet said, a little too cheerfully, his grin carrying far more excitement than the situation warranted.
"Oh, hell yeah. I want Aquaman, the Flash, and Green Lantern," Ares replied eagerly, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck as divine power rippled faintly around him.
"Well, just don't kill them. And I'm surprised you didn't want Wonder Woman," Tet said, casting him a sidelong look, one brow raised in mild curiosity.
"Nah, I'd end up killing her. I've seen Injustice. Because Hermes and Apollo are big DC fans, they forced me to read and watch a lot of it. Anyway, the Injustice Wonder Woman is kind of a bitch, so I'll leave her to you," Ares said with a dismissive snort, already lifting off the ground as warlike energy surged through him.
"Oh well, this will be an interesting conversation," Tet murmured to himself, amusement flickering across his face as he vanished in a flash of light, teleporting straight to Themyscira.
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Diana was about to enter her mother's throne room, intent on convincing her of the importance of her people joining the Regime, when she heard laughter drifting through the partially closed doors. Her mother's voice was there, along with several of her sisters… and another voice. A man's voice.
What is a man doing here? she thought sharply as she shoved the massive doors open.
Once inside, her steps slowed in disbelief. Seated casually upon her mother's throne was a young boy with white hair and mismatched eyes, lounging as if he belonged there. Hippolyta stood beside him with unmistakable respect, her posture formal. Diana's sisters were gathered around the throne, their faces lit with awe, eyes sparkling as they looked up at him.
"Tell us more about the world with the girl that fought metal monsters, Lord Tet," one of them said eagerly.
"No, tell us more about the one that fought off hordes of the undead," another added, leaning forward with excitement.
"What's going on here?" Diana declared loudly, her voice cutting through the room.
"Oh, Diana, you've returned. We're just listening to stories from Lord Tet, a god from another world," Hippolyta said calmly, gesturing toward the boy with an almost reverent smile.
"A god? There is no way this boy is a god. He must have you all under some kind of spell. Release them immediately, sorcerer," Diana said venomously, her hand already moving.
"Wow. Sorcerer. That's actually a little insulting. I suppose I need to add to your punishment now," Tet said, a bit miffed, his cheerful tone darkening just slightly.
"Enough of this," Diana snapped as her lasso flew forward, glowing as it wrapped around Tet. "The Lasso of Hestia compels you—" Diana started to say, only for the words to die in her throat.
Right before everyone's eyes, the lasso gently lifted off tet. Then Tet blinked in surprise as the rope drifted away from him entirely.then watched in stunned silence as the lasso abruptly snapped around Diana instead, binding her tightly.
Diana struggled against it with all her might, muscles straining, teeth clenched in fury, yet the divine rope did not yield.
Even Tet was a little shocked. He hadn't done anything. The lasso had acted on its own.
"Oh wow. I guess the Lasso of Hestia refuses to be used against me," Tet said with a smile, though confusion still lingered in his eyes as he glanced down at the glowing rope.
My Hestia is still home. And so is Vesta, he thought, his mind racing briefly. Which only leaves this world's Hestia as the culprit.
Oh well. I'll sort that out later, Tet thought to himself.
(Authors Note: Let's see who figures out what game or rather series Superman will end up in what fate awaits wonder woman will I ever reign myself in when it comes to Hestia)